By Graeme Esson BBC News Online Scotland

How some people are being driven out of the countryside At-a-glance

Prices have spiralled in recent years and a shortage of affordable housing has seen locals struggle to gain a foothold on the property ladder.

And many believe that the problems are exacerbated by the area's attraction as a destination for holiday homes.

A large number of the homes on the

island - which has a population of about 4,500 - are owned by people whose main residence is elsewhere.

Campbell Laing, chairman of the local community council, explained the problems faced by residents who are seeking a place of their own.

School rolls

"There are not enough houses for the people who work here and we are not a commuter island - only 5% of the population commutes to the mainland every day," he said.

To get to and from the island you must take a 55-minute ferry ride between Brodick and the Ayrshire town of Ardrossan.

Property prices have gone through the roof, particularly over the last two years Robert Brass Estate agent

Mr Laing told BBC News Online that Arran's population was increasing - and not just among older people retiring to the island.

School rolls have been rising as families settle in the area.

However, he said the island suffered from the shortage of affordable housing which has affected many other rural areas.

"Some people feel that because there are a lot of second homes the resident population are being denied housing," he said.

"The price of the houses is beyond most of the residents anyway."

The property price surge was confirmed by local estate agent Robert Brass, who said properties had been going for 50% above their valuation - with some fetching even more.

"Property prices have gone through the roof, particularly over the last two years," he said.

"Arran, like other rural areas, has always suffered from second homes being sold, which makes it difficult for local people to buy."

He said the island was a much sought-after location, with good schooling among its attractions.

Holiday accommodation

The population of Arran is growing

"It is being discovered to a degree that we have not experienced before," he said.

It is not only people looking for a holiday home in the country, as many families have been keen to relocate from England.

The buy-to-let market has also proven popular on Arran, with people purchasing properties which they can market as holiday accommodation.

A quick glance at the properties for sale on the Arran Estate Agents website gives an indication of the problems facing local people.

The lowest asking price is for a three-bedroomed terraced villa in Lamlash, which is on the market for offers over �129,000.

Prices rise to the �325,000 starting price for a five-bedroom property in King's Cross.

Tourism is the main employer on Arran, with the average salary of residents somewhere in the region of �15,000 - making such asking prices well beyond their reach.

Hotel owner John Lamont agreed that the lack of affordable housing was a problem which affected many rural communities in the west of Scotland.

Mr Lamont said hotel workers would be taking home an average of between �9,000 and �11,000 on the island.

"You can see the scale of the problem.

"It has been compounded because local authority properties have been sold, making it even more difficult," he said.

Local plan

Campbell Laing said one of the main problems was that planning regulations restricted the areas where new homes could be built.

North Ayrshire Council is expected to publish a finalised version of its local plan for the island in the coming weeks.

Mr Laing said many people were opposed to restrictions which specify that new homes can be built only within the existing boundaries of the island's villages.

"We on Arran are arguing that what we should be doing is expanding, using the pieces of land available outwith those boundaries," he said.

"Most of us feel that they should be expanded, as long as it is done sensibly."

People want to start businesses here, but they are being limited because there is not enough accommodation for workers Campbell Laing Community council chairman

Many of those working on the island had no option but to take on short-term lets in rented accommodation, Mr Laing said.

"There are people living in sub-standard homes and they don't want to say they are sub-standard because they will be left homeless."

And he added: "People want to start businesses here, but they are being limited because there is not enough accommodation for workers.

"A lot of houses are second homes, and a lot of the owners are not there from one year to the next."

Bringing business

However, he said opinion was divided over whether second homes were good or bad for the island.

Some people believe that there is a benefit from second home owners bringing business to the island.

Although some owners rarely visit their holiday homes, others are regular visitors who contribute to the community.

Mr Laing said that he could see both sides of the argument.

However, he did back moves to alter the rules on council tax discounts for second homes.

Social housing

At present, local authorities have no option but to give a discount of 50% on such properties.

But last month the Scottish Executive announced that councils would be given the power to set their own rate at anywhere between 10% and 50%.

The extra money raised must be earmarked for social housing.

North Ayrshire Council is looking into the issue, but has yet to take a decision on whether to change the rate.