MP calls for Peterborough residents ordered to leave houses by MOD to be able to keep their homes

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara has called for residents who have been told to leave their homes in Wittering by the Ministry of Defence to be able to keep their properties after the notice period is up.
The MoD has told tenants they must leave.The MoD has told tenants they must leave.
The MoD has told tenants they must leave.

The Peterborough Telegraph exclusively revealed that dozens of families had been told to leave their homes by the MOD last week, and had been given six months to vacate their homes.

The PT then revealed that on Friday, the residents had been given a further six months before they had to leave. The contract with the MOD says the .

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Now Mr Vara has called on Annington Homes, the firm who are the freeholders who own the homes, to give the residents first refusal on the homes when the lease is handed back to the MOD.

Writing to the Defence Minister Jeremy Quin MP, Mr Vara said: “This is a very stressful situation for all those affected and whilst the offer of an additional six months in cases of hardship is welcome, it is only a temporary solution and only for some of those concerned.

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The critical issue is that the houses will be reverting to Annington Homes who have an agreement with the Ministry of Defence for return of the properties on a vacant basis.

I will be writing to Annington Homes asking that, notwithstanding their agreement with the Ministry of Defence for vacant possession of the properties, they consider taking them back with the existing tenancies.”

Replying, Mr Quinn said: “Thank you for your correspondence regarding the Notices to Quit issued by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in respect of non-service personnel who rent from the Ministry of Defence homes where the freeholder is Annington Homes.

“We are very alert to the issues currently being faced by tenants and take the concerns raised very seriously.

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“I will reply substantively to your letter in due course but wanted to draw your attention to an email issued by the DIO to those affected today (extending the notice period by six months). While I appreciate this does not resolve the issue for your constituents I hope it shows the determination of the MOD to do its upmost to support tenants while meeting very necessary long term objectives for the Defence Estate.”

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted Annington Homes about the situation.