Glastonbury councillors call for tighter rules on holiday lets

By Laura Linham 12th Nov 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 18 minutes ago

Short-term holiday lets account for around 7% of Glastonbury's housing stock, a town councillor has claimed, as councillors unanimously backed a push for tougher controls.

Cllr Indra Donfrancesco cited a 2025 audit during a debate at Glastonbury Town Council. The estimate included whole-property lets and single-room listings. It has not been independently verified.

The motion, proposed by Cllr Emma King and seconded by Cllr Jon Cousins, calls for more information about the number and impact of holiday lets in Glastonbury. It also asks the town council to write to Somerset Council and the town's MP to seek stronger powers to regulate them where they harm local communities.

The motion suggests requiring planning permission or a change of use before a property becomes a holiday let, with residents given the chance to be consulted.

Cllr King said she had been evicted from a home which was later turned into an Airbnb. She warned that the loss of homes could affect the town's community.

"No one is suggesting that we shouldn't have any holiday lets in the town because clearly we do need places for tourists to stay," she said.

Cllr Lili Osborne said an estate agent had suggested her own home could become an Airbnb when she put it on the market.

"When I put my house on the market a couple of years ago, the first thing the guy said when he came in was this will go for an Airbnb. And I think we do have to stop that," she said.

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Councillors also discussed whether a limit on holiday lets could be included in Glastonbury's neighbourhood plan. The mayor said any change would need strong evidence and community support. The issue will be referred to the plan's steering group for consideration.

The motion does not introduce new restrictions. It calls for more information and asks other authorities to consider stronger powers.