A former local authority residence in the scenic Perthshire village of Kinloch Rannoch has been granted permission to operate as a short-term holiday let, complete with an outdoor hot tub. The decision by Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing committee comes after strong objections from neighbouring residents who voiced concerns about potential late-night disturbances.
Local residents expressed significant apprehension regarding the property’s conversion, highlighting worries that the presence of a hot tub would inevitably attract guests prone to noisy, late-evening gatherings. During the council meeting in Perth, Moray and Samantha MacFarlane, who live nearby, articulated their fears directly, suggesting that disruption was not a mere possibility but a ‘sure-fire thing’ given the nature of holiday rentals equipped with such amenities. Community Concerns Over Residential Character
The core of the neighbours’ discontent lay in the perception that a party-oriented holiday let, particularly one featuring a hot tub, would fundamentally alter the tranquil, close-knit residential character of Allt Mor Crescent. Mrs. MacFarlane underscored the difference between addressing noise from a permanent neighbour and that from temporary holidaymakers, whose respect for local quietude might be diminished by their vacation mindset.
A critical point of contention also revolved around the practicality of managing potential issues. The property owner, Maureen Morton, informed the committee that a local manager would be available to respond to complaints around the clock. However, under questioning from committee convener Mike Williamson, it was revealed that this ‘neighbour’ manager resides approximately 60 miles away in Auchterarder, raising doubts about the swiftness of response, especially considering Perthshire’s often challenging winter road conditions, as highlighted by committee member Carol Mair. Owner’s Assurances and Licensing Conditions
Despite these significant concerns, Mrs. Morton provided assurances aimed at mitigating the residents’ fears. She emphasised that all occupants would be subject to strict quiet hours between 10 pm and 8 am. Crucially, she also confirmed that the hot tub could be remotely deactivated by the manager, offering a mechanism to enforce the noise restrictions. Mrs. Morton reiterated her and her husband David’s long-standing affection for Loch Rannoch and Kinloch Rannoch, affirming their commitment to supporting the local economy while remaining sensitive to the community’s well-being.
Following a thorough discussion, the licensing committee proceeded to a vote. The proposal to approve the licence with a 10 pm curfew for the hot tub resulted in a tie, with four members voting in favour and four against. In such circumstances, the convener, Councillor Williamson, exercised his casting vote, which ultimately secured the licence approval with the stipulated 10 pm cut-off for hot tub use.
This decision is particularly pertinent given the ongoing wider debate in Perth and Kinross regarding short-term holiday lets. The Perth and Kinross Council is currently engaged in a public consultation process to consider establishing a short-term let control area across various popular tourist hotspots within Perthshire. This marks the second instance of the council exploring such a proposal, indicating a broader effort to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the need to preserve local residential amenity and housing availability. “positive_prompt”: “A serene, photo-realistic image of a modern holiday home in the Scottish Highlands, Kinloch Rannoch, with a steaming hot tub in the garden, framed by gentle hills and traditional residential homes under a clear night sky. The scene is quiet and peaceful, with a faint glow from the hot tub, emphasizing responsible enjoyment. Autumnal colors. Soft ambient lighting.
Local residents expressed significant apprehension regarding the property’s conversion, highlighting worries that the presence of a hot tub would inevitably attract guests prone to noisy, late-evening gatherings. During the council meeting in Perth, Moray and Samantha MacFarlane, who live nearby, articulated their fears directly, suggesting that disruption was not a mere possibility but a ‘sure-fire thing’ given the nature of holiday rentals equipped with such amenities. Community Concerns Over Residential Character
The core of the neighbours’ discontent lay in the perception that a party-oriented holiday let, particularly one featuring a hot tub, would fundamentally alter the tranquil, close-knit residential character of Allt Mor Crescent. Mrs. MacFarlane underscored the difference between addressing noise from a permanent neighbour and that from temporary holidaymakers, whose respect for local quietude might be diminished by their vacation mindset.
A critical point of contention also revolved around the practicality of managing potential issues. The property owner, Maureen Morton, informed the committee that a local manager would be available to respond to complaints around the clock. However, under questioning from committee convener Mike Williamson, it was revealed that this ‘neighbour’ manager resides approximately 60 miles away in Auchterarder, raising doubts about the swiftness of response, especially considering Perthshire’s often challenging winter road conditions, as highlighted by committee member Carol Mair. Owner’s Assurances and Licensing Conditions
Despite these significant concerns, Mrs. Morton provided assurances aimed at mitigating the residents’ fears. She emphasised that all occupants would be subject to strict quiet hours between 10 pm and 8 am. Crucially, she also confirmed that the hot tub could be remotely deactivated by the manager, offering a mechanism to enforce the noise restrictions. Mrs. Morton reiterated her and her husband David’s long-standing affection for Loch Rannoch and Kinloch Rannoch, affirming their commitment to supporting the local economy while remaining sensitive to the community’s well-being.
Following a thorough discussion, the licensing committee proceeded to a vote. The proposal to approve the licence with a 10 pm curfew for the hot tub resulted in a tie, with four members voting in favour and four against. In such circumstances, the convener, Councillor Williamson, exercised his casting vote, which ultimately secured the licence approval with the stipulated 10 pm cut-off for hot tub use.
This decision is particularly pertinent given the ongoing wider debate in Perth and Kinross regarding short-term holiday lets. The Perth and Kinross Council is currently engaged in a public consultation process to consider establishing a short-term let control area across various popular tourist hotspots within Perthshire. This marks the second instance of the council exploring such a proposal, indicating a broader effort to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the need to preserve local residential amenity and housing availability. “positive_prompt”: “A serene, photo-realistic image of a modern holiday home in the Scottish Highlands, Kinloch Rannoch, with a steaming hot tub in the garden, framed by gentle hills and traditional residential homes under a clear night sky. The scene is quiet and peaceful, with a faint glow from the hot tub, emphasizing responsible enjoyment. Autumnal colors. Soft ambient lighting.