This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Dumfries and Galloway housing
05/06/2006
Ministers have accepted the case put by Dumfries and Galloway Council for 69 rural villages in its area to be designated as 'pressured' for the purposes of the Right to Buy.
This means that some tenants within the designated areas will have the Right to Buy their rented housing association house suspended for five years.
The Pressured Area option was introduced in 2001, to assist councils facing particular local pressures. It helps maintain supply of affordable housing to people on low incomes in areas where the Right to Buy could otherwise lead to serious shortages.
The suspension of Right to Buy only applies to tenancies which commenced either on or after September 30, 2002.
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 Right to Buy.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Stock transfer to community ownership has brought huge benefits for Dumfries and Galloway. The increased investment is already providing more decent and affordable housing which people can afford.
"That will continue to increase with 132 affordable homes this year through the Communities Scotland programme and the neighbourhood renewal project which will bring over 600 new homes over the next five years.
"Alongside this, however, each local authority in Scotland has its own distinct housing needs and has to consider pressures in specific areas.
"Dumfries and Galloway Council presented a convincing case in support of its application, with compelling evidence of substantial pressures on affordable housing in these rural villages.
"This designation does not signal any change in our Right to Buy policy. The pressured area option has been available to local authorities for five years.
"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."
The pressured area designation granted to Dumfries and Galloway Council lasts for five years. It estimates that 104 current tenancies will be affected by this designation.
It applies to 69 villages, all of which have a population of 400 or less:
1.
1. Ae
2. Amisfield
3. Auchencairn
4. Auldgirth
5. Bankend
6. Beeswing
7. Boreland
8. Borgue
9. Bridge of Dee
10. Brydekirk
11. Burnhead
12. Cairnryan
13. Canonbie
14. Carronbridge
15. Carrutherstown
16. Carty
17. Chapelknowe
18. Closeburn
19. Collin
20. Crocketford
21. Crossmichael
22. Culquhirk
23. Cummertrees
24. Dornock
25. Dundrennan
26. Dunscore
27. Eskdalemuir
28. Gair
29. Gelston
30. Glencaple
31. Glenlochar
32. Glenstockadale
33. Hightae
34. Holywood
35. Isle of Whithorn
36. Johnstonebridge
37. Kelton
38. Kirkcolm
39. Kirkgunzeon
40. Kirkinner
41. Kirkmahoe
42. Kirkton
43. Kirtlebridge
44. Leswalt
45. Lochfoot
46. Mochrum Park
47. Mouswald
48. Nethermill
49. New Luce
50. Old Bridge of Urr
51. Palnackie
52. Palnure
53. Park
54. Portling
55. Prestonmill
56. Rhonehouse
57. Rigg
58. Ringford
59. Rowanburn
60. Shawhead
61. Sibbaldbie
62. Sorbie
63. Templand
64. Terregles
65. Torthorwald
66. Twynholm
67. Westerkirk
68. Whauphill
69. Yesket
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.
Right to Buy changed significantly when the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 reduced and capped discount levels, extended the qualifying period to five years and introduced the pressured area mechanism. The legislation also requires Scottish Ministers to report to Parliament by September 30, 2006 on the effect of the Right to Buy. The work for that evidence-based report is underway. Ministers have made clear that they will not consider the case for any further adjustments to the Right to Buy in advance of the report.