The Council of the Isles of Scilly declares housing crisis

Fifteen households will be homeless in March and have to leave the islands as a result, the Council of the Isles of Scilly said

The Isles of Scilly is experiencing "unprecedented pressure" on housing leading to a crisis on the islands, its council says.

Lead member for housing, Tim Dean, said there were not enough homes for essential workers.

Fifteen households will be homeless in March and have to leave the islands as a result, the Council of the Isles of Scilly said.

The authority is urging property owners to help free up accommodation.

'Plea to the islands and beyond'

The council said the islands were in "real danger of putting essential services at risk, such as the hospital and school" and without the help of islanders, its economy would "change irreversibly".

The crisis is affecting businesses, schools and health providers being able to employ overseas workers.

Mr Dean said the council has purchased one property which will be turned into three accommodation units, but it was not enough.

He said: "We're a tiny authority with very limited financial abilities, we are putting out a plea to the islands and beyond.

"I know it sounds ridiculous but if you have property over here that you could spare, anything anyone could do to help us we'd be more than interested."

The council said it would offer financial help to islanders to downsize their homes if their property was bigger than needed.

Second homes or holiday lets

Mr Dean added the crisis would impact the island's economy in the long-term if they did not work towards a solution.

He said: "Housing is always an issue on the island, there are essential workers like doctors, nurses, teachers who aren't currently living on the island as there isn't any accommodation for them.

"A lot of properties that were historically long-term rentals over here have either been sold as second homes or turned into holiday lets, the knock-on-effect is that the island is going to become unviable as we don't have any staff to support the economy."

A public meeting will be held to speak to residents and to seek help from the wider community.