THE number of "party flats" or short-term let properties in the heart of the Scottish capital is set to quadruple in a decade according to new research.

A report into the impact of the upsurge of holiday and and party flats - linked with the rise of stag party and hen nights in Edinburgh - has also found that communities and security are at risk.

The report commissioned by Green Lothian MSP Andy Wightman has also found that within three decades half of the 8,845 city centre flats in Edinburgh's EH1 postcode area will be short-term lets if the trend continues unchecked.

Mr Wightman said the report details the scale of the problem with short-term lets and called for new rules to allow councils across the country to address concerns over letting availability.

The publication by the Scottish Greens' housing spokesperson shows there are more than 6,200 properties available in Edinburgh for short term letting.

However, Scottish Parliament researchers have projected that in just a decade the number of short-term lets in the city's EH1 postcode area will rise from the current 500 to nearly 2,000.

It is estimated that by 2051 this will be be more than 4,000 properties in the one small pocket of the city centre alone.

Mr Wightman said a number of key issues over short-term lets are also spelled out in the report, including anti-social behaviour, loss of community, displacing available housing, the avoidance of non-domestic business rates and property security.

He said: "I am calling for new powers to enable councils to plan and regulate the use of residential property for short term lets.

"Many constituents have contacted me in recent months to raise their concerns about the widespread growth of this sector in their communities.

"It is clear that we need to find a simple solution and one such way is through the introduction of new Use Class Orders in the planning system.

"To stimulate debate and greater awareness of the problem, I am delighted to be publishing the first in a series of briefing papers on the topic."

The effect on the local communities was highlighted when one homeowner claimed the growing number of holiday flats in Edinburgh are in danger of turning the city into a "heartless transit camp".

It is claimed the number of short-term holiday lets in popular tourist areas is bringing a "constant stream" of short-term tenants.

Dr Colin MacFadyen said that noise, maintenance and shared repairs can also be problematic with absentee owners.

Mr Wightman said in his report: "The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and scale of the short term lets market and to identify possible reform.

"Legislation has not kept up-to-date with the growth of this sector and appropriate adjustments to planning and licensing law are clearly needed.

"Although this paper specifically focuses on Edinburgh, short term lets have become a major concern for many people throughout Scotland, both in urban and rural areas."

He continued: "Moving forward with this work, it is anticipated that further evidence needs to be collected which will document the impact of short-term lets in local authority areas throughout Scotland.

"Initial discussions indicate that there is a need for legislative intervention and we are encouraged by broad agreement from individuals throughout the housing sector and representatives from across the political sector."