Douglas Council leader defends plan to sell social homes to fund new builds

Devon Watson says directing 100% of the sale proceeds into new housing is a bold step to cut waiting lists

The leader of Douglas Council says selling some social housing that needs 'significant investment' to meet modern standards will help cut housing waiting lists and reduce homelessness.

The local authority would sell the 17 properties for market value and inject 100 percent of it back into building new homes.

Around 250 people are reportedly waiting for a council house, but renovating the properties due to be sold in the coming weeks could cost the authority millions.

Devon Watson says he's taking 'bold' and 'experimental' steps, and claims the council has upped its maintenance budget significantly.

On Manx Radio Breakfast, he spoke to Ben Hartley and Christian Jones:

*Manx Radio has amended the headline of this article.