Veterans 'let down' by sale of military cottages

Residents of cottages built for disabled military veterans have said they fear their community is at risk after the armed forces charity that manages the homes confirmed their sale.

Fourteen bungalows known as the McKay VC Memorial Cottages, on Pine Close in Hoyland, were controlled by SSAFA (the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association).

SSAFA has completed their sale to London-based Mountview Estates, but resident Susan Speight said the charity had "let them all down".

SSAFA said it had agreed a "cast-iron" guarantee that the residents could remain in their homes for the rest of their lives.

Ms Speight, 64, served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service and is the most recent resident on the street, having moved in four years ago.

She said: "We’ve all been through tough times.

"We all have injuries and scars from our time serving.

"Many of us have suffered from PTSD. This was our sanctuary."

Chris Lloyd, who has lived there since 2006, said SSAFA had broken a covenant and failed to protect its tenants’ interests.

The 68-year-old said: “A private landlord doesn’t understand veterans.

"They’re a buy-and-sell firm.

"We’ll always worry if they’ll change their mind and turf us out."

The site was first opened in 1988 in honour of Wortley-born Ian John McKay, who in April 1982 was Platoon Sergeant of 4 Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment and was deployed with his unit in the Falklands War.

He was killed during the Battle of Mount Longdon and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest accolade for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Mr Lloyd said SSAFA had “dishonoured” his memory.

He said: “We’ll fight this.

"At the end of the day they were built for veterans. This is an injustice."

A spokesperson for SSAFA, the oldest charity of its kind in the country which provides lifelong support to ex-service personnel, said: “For SSAFA to help as many people as possible, its trustees agreed that selling the few residential properties owned by the charity, including the Pine Close bungalows, with cast-iron protection given to those who have made the properties their homes, would free up more financial resources to help more people through the charity’s core work.

"This absolute, binding legal stipulation that the existing residents are guaranteed their lease for as long as they wish to remain in the bungalows and that there is protection against unreasonable rent increases has been agreed with the purchaser.

"Supporting the men and women of UK armed forces – and their families – past, present and future, including those who live in Pine Close, is and remains SSAFA’s priority."

A spokesperson for Barnsley Council said: “The council is aware of the situation between the residents and SSAFA, our legal team is keeping the situation under review and have assured that all necessary actions were taken in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.”

The BBC has contacted Mountview Estates for a comment.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.