Members of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee have taken the first steps towards exploring a short term let control area after reviewing new evidence at their meeting on 1 December.
The discussion centred on fresh data showing that parts of Skye and Raasay are experiencing far greater housing pressure than the Highland average, with high numbers of potential dwellings operating as short term lets and growing concern over affordability.
The committee agreed that communities across the area will have the chance to take part in a full consultation should the process move forward.
They also noted that any future control area would not apply retrospectively to established short term lets where no material change of use occurred at the time they were created.
A further phase of evidence gathering and community engagement would follow if the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee agrees to formally begin the process.
Councillor John Finlayson said the indicators across the ward tell a clear story of strain in the local market.
“The overall indicators suggest that in Skye and Raasay houses are less affordable and have higher rates of STLs and second homes than Highland as a whole.
“Across Skye and Lochalsh 17 per cent of potential dwellings are currently licensed STLs, which is much higher than the five per cent across Highland as a whole.
“The availability and affordability of housing is a key issue of concern in the ward so it is only right that we consider steps that could potentially ease some of the existing pressures on the local housing market.
“Across Highland, data zones with adjusted STL rates above 11.17 per cent are considered to be outside the statistical normal range, and in Skye and Raasay, all areas exceed this threshold.
“Communities across Skye and Raasay who have created Local Place Plans also highlight the need for discussions to take place about issues that limit the availability of housing for people of all ages.
“Undertaking this consultation gives them a chance to air their views.”
The report presented to councillors found that 17 per cent of potential dwellings in Skye and Raasay now operate as licensed short term lets, compared with five per cent across Highland.
It also found that newbuild homes are being transferred into short term letting at a rate of 15.5 per cent, more than double the Highland average of five per cent.
Across the last five years 60 of the 387 new housing completions in Skye and Raasay have become short term lets.
The report added that high levels of external house purchases in Skye and Raasay are further evidence of a market being reshaped by outside demand.
