18 September 2020
Vara takes up Wittering Notices to Quit with Defence Minister

Shailesh Vara MP has received a reply from Defence Minister Jeremy Quin MP to a letter Mr Vara wrote following Wittering residents receiving Notices to Quit from their homes.

Mr Quin says that he will reply to Mr Vara substantively but attaches an email sent to tenants by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) which says that in cases of hardship the DIO, working through their agents Orchard and Shipman, is prepared to extend the tenancies for a further six months in cases of hardship.

The email also says that the DIO will liaise with Annington Homes, who own the freehold, to see if they will take the properties back with the tenants in occupation when the properties are returned to the company.

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.

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.”

The letter from Mr Jeremy Quin to Mr Vara is attached together with the email from the DIO sent to those who have received Notices to Quit.

Click here to download the letter from Jeremy Quin MP