South Ayrshire limits right to buy
10 Feb 06
Council is third local authority to be recognised as "pressured" for housing
Council tenants in parts of South Ayrshire are to be limited in their ability to buy their homes from the local authority.
The council has become the third authority in Scotland to apply successfully to the Scottish Ministers to have part of its area recognised as "pressured" in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. This helps councils to continue to offer homes for affordable rent to people on low incomes in areas where the right to buy could otherwise lead to serious shortages.
It is estimated that around 390 tenancies will be affected, in Prestwick and Ayr as well as number of rural settlements. Ministers refused to designate 14 of the 43 areas sought by the council as insufficient evidence had been provided for these.
The decision only affects tenancies that have commmenced since 30 September 2002. It means that affected tenants will have their right to buy suspended for five years, the period for which the designation lasts.
Since last October Eastwood in East Renfrewshire, and large areas within the Highland Council region, have been granted "pressured" status. Applictions from Moray and Fife Councils are currently being considered.