House sale rule ‘puts off buyers’

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council may stop enforcing a rule preventing the sale of former council houses to people who do not work or live in the area.

The rule was introduced with “right to buy” legislation in the Eighties and was intended to prevent houses in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, such as the Chilterns, from being used as second or holiday homes.

The council says it has received complaints from residents that the rule puts off buyers and that some mortgage providers won&rsquot loan money on such a property.

It also says the rule seems to have little effect on keeping prices down for local people.

Council leader John Cotton said: “It looks like the rule might no longer serve its original purpose and may even be having a detrimental impact on people.



“We need more evidence and information before we can be certain of that, so we would like to hear from people who have been affected or live in the areas affected about what they think.”

About 1,000 houses in the Chilterns AONB are affected by the rule, including some in Woodcote and Goring.

For more information or to comment, visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/aboutS157