Calls for tighter rules on short-term holiday lets in Port area

Sinn Féin councillor Kathleen McGurk has said stronger regulation of short-term holiday lets is needed to address their impact on housing and local communities in coastal areas.

The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough councillor said: “Tighter rules are needed for short-term holiday lets to ensure we strike the right balance between supporting tourism and meeting the needs of local people.

“These properties play a role in attracting visitors and supporting the local economy, but they can also drive up house prices and reduce the supply of suitable homes for local families.

“In places like Portrush and Portstewart we’ve seen a sharp rise in short-term lets, with homes converted into holiday accommodation. That’s putting extra pressure on housing for people who want to live and work in our community year-round.

“People in our coastal areas deserve thriving, sustainable communities, not places where families are priced out of the housing market.”