- Belfast City Council is consulting on draft supplementary planning guidelines for short-term lets
- The consultation runs for 12 weeks until Monday 16 November 2026
- Short-term lets include serviced apartments, apart-hotels and self-catering holiday lets
- Concerns include availability of residential housing and impact on neighbourhood character
- The guidance is a material consideration in determining planning applications
Belfast City Council has launched a public consultation on draft supplementary planning guidelines for short-term lets in the city, with the non-statutory guidance aimed for use by developers, landowners, planning agents and anyone seeking advice on short-term let accommodation. The guidance will highlight key planning considerations that can arise in relation to planning applications for short-term lets and provide advice on the council’s approach to relevant planning policy. The information set out in the draft SPG is deemed a material consideration in determining planning applications and should be read in conjunction with the existing planning framework.
Short-term let accommodation can take many forms from serviced apartments, apart-hotels, self-catering apartments and short-term holiday lets, making an important contribution to the tourism economy in Belfast by offering more accommodation choice for visitors. They also provide short-term accommodation choice in a range of circumstances beyond tourism, such as accommodation for temporary workers or for short-term residential needs. However, the popularity of short-term lets and their rise in number can raise issues in relation to the availability of residential and affordable homes to buy or rent and the impact on neighbourhood character and community cohesion.
The draft supplementary planning guidance is available to view online at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/LDP or in person at the council’s Cecil Ward Building during normal business hours. Submissions can be emailed to localdevelopmentplan@belfastcity.gov.uk or posted to Belfast Planning Service at the Cecil Ward Building in Linenhall Street. The public consultation will run for 12 weeks until Monday 16 November and will also be published on the council’s Your Say platform.
