Property costs in Fife are rising

In May, Fife Council suspended the right of tenants in St Andrews and East Neuk to buy their council homes.

Now the Scottish Executive has agreed to "pressurised area status" covering 13 places in west Fife.

The aim is to protect housing stock and it is believed to be first time a Scottish council has made a second bid to suspend the right-to-buy.

Tenants in Aberdour, Charlestown, Crossford, Culross, Dalgety Bay, Halbeath, Kingseat, Limekilns, North Queensferry, Rosyth, Saline, Torryburn and Townhill will have their right to buy their council properties suspended for the next five years.

Fife Council is the first authority to make a second application to suspend the right to buy - this time in the west of its area Des McNulty Deputy Communities Minister

However, this applies only to tenancies which began after 30 September, 2002.

Fife Council said about 237 tenants would be affected by the suspension, which was announced by Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty.

He said: "Fife Council is the first authority to make a second application to suspend the right to buy - this time in the west of its area.

"Once again, it has presented a convincing case, and has provided compelling evidence of substantial pressures on affordable housing in the designated areas."

Affordable homes

Councillor Alex Sawers, Fife Council's housing spokesman, said the announcement was good news for the area.

He said: "We're trying everything we can to make more affordable properties available for those most in need.

"This year alone over �21m is being spent on creating more affordable homes for people.

"Keeping valuable council housing stock is also a step in the right direction as well as releasing council land for affordable housing means that we are making some inroads to tackling this issue."