Midlothian estate agent bid to turn main street office into holiday lets rejected
An estate agent is appealing after they were refused permission to turn their main street offices into a short term holiday let by Midlothian planners.
John MacIntyre, of McDougall McQueen, applied for a change of use for the firm's Gorebridge office in the conservation area where it was argued there is a range of premises from retail, business and residential.
However Gorebridge Community Council objected to the plans saying they went against a priority action, identified in the council's Local Development Plan to revive the main street with shops and toilets.
They said: "The long-term impact of the proposal should be considered and the application be refused to prioritise the preservation of commercial spaces for shops on the Main Street."
Planning officers said that over the last four years around 150 businesses had contacted their economic team seeking commercial opportunities in Gorebridge where turnover of units was very low with only two vacancies in that time.
They said: "This demonstrates a high level of interest from businesses looking to operate from the area and a low vacancy rate for units here. The proposal would result in the loss of a commercial unit in an area where there seems to be demand from businesses to operate."
They added the choice of use as a short term let would have a negative impact on residents living above and below the property.
The applicant has now appealed to Midlothian Council's Local Review Body to overturn the decision from planners.
In their statement supporting the plans agents for the applicant say: "The proposals seek to reuse an office which is under utilised and due to close.
"The proposals seek a change of use to a short term let and minor alternations to the exterior using high quality materials which will be sympathetic to the historic nature of the of the building.
"We believe there is no impact on the context or appearance of the building. The proposed use will reflect the mixed use nature of Main St and incorporate well."
The appeal will go before the review body later this month.
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