Families facing eviction in Wittering after MoD serve notice to quit on tenants

As exclusively revealed by The Peterborough Telegraph last year, it had been hoped a deal with freeholder Annington Homes could be done after the MoD announced they ending the lease on the properties.

A total of 71 homes were affected by the decision to end the lease, with 61 of those homes being occupied.

MORE: Dozens of Peterborough families left devastated after MOD tells them to move out of homesMORE: Peterborough residents told to leave houses within six months by MOD given extra time to find new homesBut today North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara MP has been informed by Jeremy Quin MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), that talks with Annington Limited have failed to secure the future of tenants facing eviction at Wittering.

In October 2020, the MoD served Notices to Quit on their sub tenants in houses in Wittering to enable the MoD to return the vacant properties to the freehold owner, Annington Limited.

Mr Vara, along with other MPs facing a similar situation in their constituencies, urged the Minister to try to reach an agreement with Annington to return the houses back to them with the sitting tenants.

Mr Vara has now heard back from Mr Quin and been informed that such an agreement has not been reached between the MoD and Annington.

Mr Vara has however, discussed with the Minister the possibility of Annington being prepared to sell their freehold interest to Peterborough City Council so that the properties can become part of the Council’s housing stock and also enable the tenants to remain in the properties.

Mr Vara has spoken with Cllr Steve Allen, Cabinet Member for Housing at Peterborough City Council, who is prepared to consider such an option.

Following the news Mr Vara said: “I am very disappointed that the MoD and Annington have failed to reach an agreement whereby Annington would take back the properties with the sitting tenants. This is particularly so given the present climate of uncertainty and the pandemic.

"Given the circumstances, it may be possible for Peterborough City Council to acquire the houses with the tenants from Annington and I am pursuing this option further. I have discussed the matter with Jeremy Quin, the Minister as well as with Cllr Steve Allen, Cabinet Member for Housing on the Council and I am pleased that Cllr Allen is prepared to consider this as a possible way forward.”

Cllr Steve Allen added: “The Council is committed to ensuring that Peterborough residents have access to good quality affordable housing, and we will do everything we can to support the residents of RAF Wittering at this difficult time.

"Officers of the Council will be talking to Annington Homes in the coming days to explore what options are available, including the possibility of the Council acquiring the homes as part of its plans to reintroduce council housing to the City."