A CONTROL zone to limit Airbnb-style lets has been suggested across the Highlands in a bid to tackle a shortage of homes.
Councillors proposing the move said that 7011 short-term let licences had been granted across the region, but only four had been refused, according to the BBC.
While holiday lets are not banned in control areas, operators need planning permission as well as a short-term lets licence.
Inverness councillors Michael Gregson and Duncan Macpherson, who proposed the move, said that the powers could be used where there was local demand for them.
They said the region needed more than 24,000 homes over the next 10 years, writing in a paper submitted to the council: "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."
The councillors said Highlands Council should first ask the Scottish Government to revisit its original plan to have an overprovision policy within short-term lets legislation.
They said if that was not possible, to then seek approval for Highland control area status.
In their response, Highland Council officials said there would be financial implications for the local authority around both suggestions from the councillors.
They said that it would require research and, if introduced, could mean additional costs and workload for its planning department.
Highland Council approved the first control zone in the area in December 2023, covering Badenoch and Strathspey.
Elsewhere in Scotland, Edinburgh was officially designated Scotland's first short-term let control area in September 2022.
Meanwhile, a law requiring operators to have a licence came into force across Scotland in October 2023.
