Ramsey Commissioners have decided to decline the opportunity to purchase 11 two-bedroom properties on a new residential development at Clifton Park where Haven Homes is building 66 homes on three undeveloped fields.

The reason is that the housing waiting list for two-bedroom properties has reduced dramatically in recent years, with only 18 applicants currently qualifying.

Members felt that if they were to purchase the 11 properties and the waiting list continued to reduce, there could potentially be a risk of creating empty properties.

At present the greatest need is for one or two-bedroom flats.