Crimond, Hatton and Maud will not be included in Aberdeenshire Council's attempt to gain Pressurised Area Status (PAS) - which would prevent tenants who moved in after September 2002 from exercising their right to buy.

It is thought that around 1,000 council tenants throughout Buchan will lose the right to buy their homes if the council progresses the bid.

Before gaining PAS, the council must identify the areas in Aberdeenshire where there are more people on the waiting list than there are available properties, as well as pinpoint which areas have less than 10 council houses remaining.


In Buchan, 2,097 properties would be included in the PAS bid - just under 80% of the housing stock - including every council house at Clola, Longside, Mintlaw, New Deer, New Leeds, Peterhead, St Combs, St Fergus and Strichen.

One, three and four-bedroom council houses at Cruden Bay will also become pressured areas, as well as one-bedroom homes at Stuartfield, two-bedroom homes at Boddam and three-bedroom homes at Fetterangus.

The average house price in Aberdeenshire has risen by 26% in the last year to £203,740, resulting in record numbers applying for council homes.

The council's waiting list has increased from just over 4,500 in 2006 to more than 6,800 this year. As homeless applications grow faster than the national average, the pressure is mounting on the council's housing service.

It emerged on Tuesday that Buchan had a record number of homeless applications in 2007-08, with 452 emergency cases.

Council tenants are being given the chance to voice their opinions on proposed policy changes. Questionnaires are being sent to existing tenants and to people on the housing waiting list.

(GK/NS)