§ Bob RussellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will discuss with the Ministry of Defence the disposal of empty Service family houses at Colchester Garrison; and if he will make arrangements for them to be transferred to a registered social housing landlord. [119770]
§ Keith HillColchester borough council and Colne Housing Society have been working with the Defence Housing Executive (DHE) and Annington Homes for the past four or five and three bed) were leased for three years from the DHE for use as temporary accommodation for homeless families up until October 2001. At the end of the lease, the properties were modernised and sold on the open market. In September 2002 Colne Housing Society entered into a three year lease with Annington Homes, leasing 48 empty three-bedroom homes for use as temporary accommodation for homeless families. This was made possible by the provision of Local Authority Social Housing Grant of £225,000 and a risk-sharing agreement with Colne Housing Society.
Annington has confirmed that at the end of the three-year lease, it will demolish the 48 houses and redevelop the site with higher density housing.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not feel that it is necessary to get involved in this process. A discussion between the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not required in this case.