MP says plans to sell M1 homes are total ‘nonsense’
L11-1416 4/11/11 Redgrave Children's Centre is opened by Kelvin Hopkins MP. wk 45 CP JX
Tenants fighting for their homes met with councillors and their MP to discuss their plight on Saturday.
The 30 or so households near Junction 10A of the M1 are being served notices to quit as the Highways Agency puts the houses, which are no longer needed for the motorway widening scheme, on the market.
Some of the tenants have lived in the houses for 19 years, including an elderly man of 82 who has been there 16 years.
Mr Hopkins said: “It’s just so unfair to them to call them short term lets when many of them have been there 16-19 years.
“It’s complete nonsense. They are their homes. In some cases the houses weren’t in very good condition when they moved in and they have made them habitable, taken care of them and of course built a community.
“It’s the tenants we are concerned about and the first step is to get the notices to quit withdrawn.
“There’s a housing shortage in the town already, and many of these people are not well off – if they are evicted they will be homeless.”
Mr Hopkins pointed out that the Highways Agency gets an income from renting the houses at the moment.
Houses which have previously been put on the market by Highways Agency now stand empty and derelict having not been sold.
Councillor Tom Shaw was also at the meeting at the Chaul End Centre, and resident Carol Hover said she appreciates the support.
She said: “Before we thought we were fighting on our own but now we know they are on our side and helping as best they can.”
A Highways Agency spokesperson said tenants were aware properties would eventually be sold on if not needed for the scheme, and they are doing everything they can to help residents and keep them informed in accordance with their rental agreement.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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