Douglas Council to sell 35 social housing properties to the private market

Douglas Council is planning to sell 35 social housing properties which require 'significant investment' to the private market. The local authority says it has met with the tenants on Falcon Cliff Terrace and Marathon Drive who will be affected and is operating with a 'tenants first' policy. It's confirmed that each house will be sold individually to avoid them being 'swept up' by a developer, and this will start with six vacant homes in the next few weeks. Leader of Douglas Council Devon Watson says the money from the sales will be ring fenced for future social housing developments in the city. Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.