Qatar-based couple win bid to run East Lothian Airbnb despite neighbours’ fears

Claims an Airbnb would damage the strong community in a residential street were dismissed by councillors after its owner made a personal plea from their home in Qatar.

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Ramona Donald told a meeting of East Lothian Council’s licensing sub committee she and her husband had bought the home in Cockenzie with the intention of moving into it when they return to the United Kingdom from their work abroad.

And she said concern from neighbours at their lack of visits to the house since buying it were down to the tension in the Middle East which had led to flight disruption and made the cost of flying home expensive.

Speaking from the rental accommodation where she and her husband are staying in Qatar, Mrs Donald told the meeting: “I fully understand the concerns some of the residents and neighbours have to having an Airbnb next door or a few doors down from them and we want to try and alleviate those concerns because we certainly want to be part of that community and this is a temporary arrangement.

“Because we currently live in Qatar we have not been able to return this year because of tensions in the region, there has been flight disruption and the cost of flying back has been really expensive.

“I know one of the concerns has been that we haven’t been seen in a year but there is a reason for that. We have ties in Scotland and would be looking to be there during holiday times and summer.

“I want to reassure neighbours it is not intended to be a commercial let, it is our sole property and we are fully invested in it and becoming part of the community in the long term.

“Short term we are living out here and any time we can get back with the situation in the Middle East we will.”

The committee heard several objections had been lodged by residents in the street who argued it had a strong feeling of community and its character would be negatively impacted by the introduction of a short term let.

However acting chair of the committee Lee-Anne Menzies pointed out there were no other Airbnbs on the street.

Councillor Menzies said: “They are fearful for the loss of character which I understand but there are no other short term lets on this street, two within the locality but not on the street, so for me that does not represent a loss of character.”

The committee unanimously agreed to grant the licence for the short term let use.

Councillor Menzies told Mrs Donald: “Thank you for joining us from Qatar today and we wish you all the best when you move back here. Cockenzie is much better than Qatar.”