A BID to expand the network of Airbnb properties for visitors to Balloch has been turned down because of the impact it would have on neighbours.

The owners of the flat in the village’s Carson Road had asked West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) for permission to change the use of the property from a residential flat to short-term holiday accommodation.

A report reveals that the application was made after a neighbour complained about night-time disturbance caused by guests at the property.

That incident is said to have been resolved by a call from the owners to the guests, but the WDC report says the risk of neighbour nuisance justifies turning down the application.

The report states: “The incident confirms that the council’s concern over noise, whether from normal arrivals and departures of guests, or in extreme cases resulting from the unruly behaviour of guests, is a realistic possibility, with a potential detrimental effect on the residential amenity.

“This is particularly the case if the proposed use is compared to traditional bed and breakfasts or motels and hotels, where the owner or staff are present on site and can address misbehaviour promptly and directly.”

The council’s report also raises concern at the lack of detail in the plans for the storage of waste, and “limited information on the waste collection aspect”.

In their ‘change of use’ application to the council the flat’s owners stated that they live in Manchester and had bought the property to use while visiting an elderly family member in a nearby nursing home, and hoped that Airbnb income would help support the cost of running two properties.

The owners said they had spent more than £25,000 refurbishing the property, on top of the purchase price, and described the neighbour nuisance incident – said to have happened on June 11 – as “a teething problem”, and that the neighbour who complained was “incredibly happy with the result and the swiftness of the resolve”.

Airbnb currently lists more than 50 accommodation options in or close to the centre of Balloch, ranging from private rooms to a seven-bedroom villa with room for up to 16 guests.