House-buying restriction approved for Fife
8 May 06
Ministers accept five-year suspension of right to buy in designated areas
Ministers have accepted Fife Council's argument for stopping council tenants in part of its area from buying their homes in the next five years.
The "pressured area" option was introduced in 2001 to help councils where there is a demand for social housing. It means the council can 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.
In Fife's case it is the town of St Andrews and the East Neuk area including the coastal villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie, Earlsferry and Lower Largo.
The suspension of right to buy only applies to tenancies which began either on or after 30 September 2002.
Fife is the fifth council to have successfully applied, and a sixth application - from Dumfries and Galloway - is currently being considered. East Renfrewshire, Highland, South Ayrshire and Moray are the other council areas which restrict house buying.
At a conference on affordable housing in Edinburgh, Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said: "Fife Council presented a convincing case in support of its application, with compelling evidence of substantial pressures on affordable housing in the designated areas.
"The Executive recognises that there are strong views about right to buy, but we will consider whether there is a case for further changes only when we have seen the evidence that will be collected on the effect of the policy and reported to parliament this autumn."
Ministers are due to report to the parliament by 30 September.