Right to buy suspended in Dumfries and Galloway
5 Jun 06
Social rented sector protected in 69 rural villages
The right of tenants to buy rented housing association homes in Dumfries and Galloway has been suspended to help maintain the supply of affordable housing.
The suspension applies to 69 rural villages and will last for five years. It will affect those whose tenancies started either on or after 30 September 2002. The case for suspension of the right to buy - the "pressured area" option introduced by the Executive in 2001 - was put forward by Dumfries and Galloway Council and accepted by Scottish Ministers.
Council housing in Dumfries and Galloway was transferred in 2003 to a new housing association, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership, after a ballot of tenants. However, the council remains as strategic housing authority with responsibility in areas such as the right to buy.
The pressured area designation will affect an estimated 104 current tenancies. The 69 villages it applies to have a population of 400 or less. They include Auchencairn, Twynholm, Borgue, Beeswing, Crossmichael, Dundrennan, Mouswald, Kirkgunzeon and Rhonehouse.
The first pressured area designation was granted in October 2005 to East Renfrewshire Council for the Eastwood part of its area.
Since then, designations have been granted to Highland Council, South Ayrshire Council, Moray Council and, most recently, to Fife Council for the St Andrews and East Neuk areas of Fife.