A Glasgow MSP has welcomed the news that council will be given powers to regulate and control short-term holiday lets.

Nicola Sturgeon has said that new short-term lets regulation will seek “to give councils the power to control the number of lets and ensure they make a contribution to the services they use”.

The First Minister told the SNP conference: “For many people, accommodation provider Airbnb has enabled cheaper, more flexible travel. It’s one of the reasons Scotland’s tourism industry is booming.

"But for others – particularly in tourist hot spots, like the centre of this city – it is making it harder to find homes to live in.

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“So today, we are setting out new plans to help cities like Edinburgh and islands like Arran get the balance right.

"We are asking for views on a new system of regulation to make short term lets subject to the same controls as other accommodation. To give councils the power to control the number of lets and ensure they make a contribution to the services they use.

“The SNP will always back Scotland’s tourism industry. But we will also help people find places to live in the communities they want to call home.”

Glasgow Shettleston MSP, John Mason, has given his backing to the announcement.

The move follows concerns that the number of short term accommodation lets in Glasgow Shettleston, offered by platforms such as Airbnb, is restricting the volume of available residential properties available in the area.

John Mason is encouraging local residents to have their say on the Scottish Government’s plans as part of an online consultation that runs until July 19, 2019.

The proposal is part of a package of new housing initiatives announced at the SNP’s spring conference – including a new £150 million scheme to help young people get on the property market with loans of up to £25,000 available to assist with a deposit for a new home.

SNP MSP John Mason said: “While short-term letting sites, such as Airbnb, have helped contribute to Scotland’s booming tourism industry, they are making it harder for people in city centres, and other areas, like the East End, to find permanent homes to live in.

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"The SNP Government is looking to proactively tackle this issue by handing councils the power to control the number of lets and ensure they make a contribution to the local services they use.

"I have heard from many constituents who are concerned about how short-term lets are affecting both property availability and residential areas, more generally, and would encourage everyone to ensure their views are heard before the consultation closes on July 19, 2019.”