Funding for a housing scheme offering a financial incentive to free up larger council houses has been approved, with some reservations.

The Under Occupation Scheme will offer £4,000 to tenants giving up two or more bedrooms and a payment to tenants giving up one.

Homes free up would then be made available to those on the housing register that are in need of family homes.

Councillor James Browne said: “I very much hope this will be a successful scheme which we will be able to roll forward for many years to come.”

But opposition councillors voiced some residual concerns.

Councillor Barry Fairbank said: “In old age, and I’ve experienced this with family members, older people moving at an advanced age quite often disturbs and unsettles them and I think that needs to be considered in the process.”

Councillor Christine Elmer warmly welcomed the scheme and assured the full council on Wednesday, February 22, that it would be dealt with sensitively, with no coercion.