A bid for a short-term let licence for a flat in a busy part of Paisley is set to go before Renfrewshire councillors for a third time next week. Elected members will consider the application for an apartment in Abbey Place at the regulatory functions board on Wednesday, August 21. The request has already been put to the committee on two occasions – most recently in May and in March before that – but was continued for the provision of additional information.
Objections have been submitted in relation to the application, including from members of Abbey Place Owners Association, which is “concerned” a precedent could be set for the estate if it is given the green light. John Stewart, assistant chair of the group, said in a statement: “The concern now is that the estate which was built to provide affordable housing and luxury accommodation will become blocks of holiday lets, due to the attractions of Paisley and the excellent access to roads, rail and airport. “There are some young families on the estate with young children, but the majority of owners are elderly and having strangers within the estate causes concerns to both groups.
“Also, the elderly group have generally downsized thereby releasing their larger properties for younger families to purchase. “We have been encouraged by the actions taken by Edinburgh in respect of short-term lets and hope at the meeting on August 21 the application for the short-term let will not be approved. “Whatever decision is reached will set the precedent for the estate.
” When contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the local authority said: “A decision on this application has not yet been taken. “It will be considered by members of the regulatory functions board.” Abbey Place is located across the road from its namesake landmark and adjacent to Renfrewshire House, the council’s headquarters, in Cotton Street.
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