Politicians are calling for a vast control zone to limit Airbnb-style short lets.

There is already a smaller control zone in part of the Highlands but now two councillors in Inverness want a zone covering the entire region.

Control zones of this kind already exist in Scotland, although over smaller geographical areas: Airbnbs and other short lets are not banned in the zones, but landlords require planning consent and licenses. 

The councillors – Michael Gregson and Duncan Macpherson – say: “The private long-term rental market has shrunk disastrously: estate agents are withdrawing from letting out properties because of the shortage of properties available. Even taking into account the efforts of Highland Council and the housing associations, there is a shortage of affordable housing.”

They claim some 7,011 short-lets exist across the Highlands.

The whole of the City of Edinburgh Council area is a short-let control area, and within the Highlands the Badenoch and Strathspey locations have their own zone.