First-time buyers may be forced out of the housing market if Enfield Borough Council goes ahead with its new housing scheme, it has been claimed.

Members of the Conservative party are set to report Enfield Council to the Information Commissioner after claiming it has refused to release information about the £100m Housing Gateway scheme.

The council is aiming to increase its stock of properties that can be let at sub-market rents to families who would be housed in emergency accommodation.

The council has moved quickly to dismiss claims that it will compete with first time buyers and a spokesman stated that the council is “predominantly” competing for two and three-bedroom housing.

Councillor Ahmet Oykener, cabinet member for housing, added: “The houses we are buying are rarely competing with first time buyers and we are not out setting out to distort the housing market.

“We have nothing to hide and this will help us build up our stock once more. Enfield and indeed London is in a housing crisis and we will not shy away from intervention.”

However, opposition is claiming that the scheme is going against first-time buyers and invariably winning the bid because of its financial muscle, thus creating a housing bubble in the borough.

Councillor Edward Smith, shadow cabinet lead on housing, said: “The council is spending £100m on buying houses in Enfield, directly competing against first-time buyers and making it harder for families to buy a home.

“It is also likely to create a house price bubble in Enfield as it hoovers up houses available on the market whilst not building any new properties. There are a number of sites across Enfield that are ready for development but a lack of vision and planning from the council have meant they remain untouched.”

So far there have been 12 new homes bought and over 50 offers accepted which is increasing on a weekly basis because of “good working relationships with local agents have been established.”

Cllr Oykener has also dismissed claims that the Conservatives did not receive financial details on how much was paid for the properties and what the asking price was.

He said: “It is not true to say we have not provided the Conservatives with these figures. I am very proud of this scheme and we have been recognised all over the country including Conservative London boroughs. They have seen everything that I have seen.”

Cllr Smith added: “We fully understand that the council faces unprecedented demand for social housing from a rising population and the export of homeless families from other parts of London. 

“The council would be better advised to use these resources to encourage housing associations to develop more low cost housing in the Borough and also use its new powers given by the government to start a major programme of house building to reduce its reliance on increasingly expensive privately rented accommodation.”

A map outlining where the properties have been purchased, show the majority of three bedroom homes being bought along Hertford Road predominantly in Enfield Lock.

All but two of the properties so far purchased or accepted so far are to the east of the Great Cambridge Road, A10.