Appendix 3 - Objection Letter S Russell
Perth and Kinross Council · 8 December 2025
Back to Licensing Committee — 8 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 SPR STL From: Suzanne Sent: 15 October 2025 09:13 To: SPR STL Subject: FW: Objection to Short-Term Let Application – Glenburn (Ref. 2347) Categories: OBJECTIONS/COMPLAINTS CAUTION: This email originated from an external organisation. Do not follow guidance, click links, or open attachments unless you have verified the sender and know the content is safe. Hello Please see updated below and confirm that this is now acceptable. Kind regards Suzanne Russell -------- Original message -------- From: Suzanne Russell Date: 14/10/2025 17:52 (GMT+00:00) To: SPR STL <STL@pkc.gov.uk> Subject: Objection to Short-Term Let Application – Glenburn (Ref. 2347) To whom it may concern, I would like to formally object to the above short-term let application for Glenburn, Main Street, Kirkmichael, Blairgowrie, PH10 7NT, on both personal and local housing grounds. Personal Concerns Proximity to Bedroom Window: The property’s lower outdoor seating area is approximately three metres from my bedroom window. This raises significant concerns about loss of privacy and potential noise, particularly during evenings and weekends. Although there is an upper seating area, the steepness of the steps leading to it means the lower one is likely to be used most often. Potential for Noise and Disturbance: The property is mid-terrace and located in a quiet residential row. While it only has two bedrooms, it is close to two larger holiday accommodation properties that often host groups. There is a genuine risk that this property could serve as overflow accommodation, increasing the likelihood of regular disturbance, particularly given its outdoor seating facilities. Shared Septic Tank: Glenburn shares a septic tank with five other properties. In over ten years, the only blockage occurred during a brief period when another property was used as a holiday let. Permanent residents are careful about what goes down the drain, whereas short-term renters often are not. Other property owners share this concern.
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2 Communal Bins: The property also shares communal bins with five other households. These are kept locked due to recurring issues with inappropriate use. The owners should ensure that guests are made aware of local rules on recycling and waste disposal. Risk of Burst Pipes and Property Damage: If the property is left empty during winter, will the owners maintain heating or drain the system? A burst pipe two years ago caused significant concern, and damage was only avoided because the owners were present. If left unoccupied, such an incident could lead to dampness and structural damage to adjoining walls, including mine. Local Housing Concerns Having reviewed the licences already granted in Kirkmichael, I believe that 35 have been approved so far. Of these, 26 are detached houses and 11 are two bedroomed. The few terraced or semi-detached properties with licences are owner-occupied, allowing direct oversight of guests and minimising disruption. We are fortunate that many previous licence applicants have built cabins, shepherds’ huts, and similar accommodation specifically for tourism purposes. This benefits local business during the holiday season, but those same businesses also rely on long-term residents to sustain them during quieter months. There are currently very few two-bedroom homes available in the village for long-term rent or social housing. This type of property is already in high demand locally. From the Mount Blair Community Housing Needs & Demand Report (March 2022) I note: Strong demand for affordable housing, especially 2–3 bedroom homes for low-cost rent or ownership. Community concern about the number of holiday lets and second homes reducing housing available for local residents. Local employers report that a lack of affordable housing options restricts recruitment and affects business operations.
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3 Kirkmichael needs affordable homes that enable younger families and local workers to remain in or move to the area. Also as many estate workers have tied properties to their employment, when they retire they quite often have to move away from the area they have spent many years in. With 35 short-term let licences already granted, the village already has a high number of properties being used as short-term holiday lets. This has a negative impact on the character and cohesion of the community, with fewer permanent residents to sustain local services, schools, and community groups. Allowing yet another short-term let will only worsen this imbalance and undermine the long-term sustainability of the village. Conclusion Given the serious concerns about noise, waste management, shared infrastructure, and the limited availability of local housing, I strongly object to this application. I ask that the Council consider both the personal impacts on neighbouring residents and the broader housing implications for Kirkmichael when making its decision. On a final note, there is currently no public notice of the licence application displayed outside the property. This means other residents of the area who might wish to comment may be unaware that an application has been submitted. Kind regards, Suzanne Russell Ogilvy Main Street Kirkmichael Blairgowrie PH10 7NT