Portobello Holiday Flat Not in Royal Mile Party Zone

Edinburgh: The owner of a holiday flat in Portobello is pushing back against city planners. Jane Steele argues her property isn’t in the so-called “Royal Mile Party Zone.” She’s appealing a decision by the City of Edinburgh Council that denied her request to change the flat’s use from residential to a short-term let.

Steele has been renting out her flat for over three years. She feels the council’s rejection was too broad and didn’t consider the unique aspects of her seaside property on Barnie Terrace. In her appeal, she pointed out that most of her guests are families or business travelers who value peace and quiet.

She also mentioned that she carefully screens guests through Airbnb to ensure they’re a good fit. The flat has special features, like fire safety doors, that help keep noise down. Despite these points, the council said her application went against policies meant to protect residential areas and address long-term housing needs.

Steele believes the council’s approach overlooks the flat’s design and how it’s actually used. She explained that the common entryway is different from a typical shared space, with soundproofing measures in place. No one objected to her application, and now it’s up to the review body to make a decision.

By Marie Sharp, Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency funded by the BBC and supported by local news organizations. They focus on reporting news about local authorities and public service organizations.