FURIOUS pensioners who live in a housing complex reserved for disabled military veterans fear their homes are being taken away despite a protective covenant being in place - after the armed forces charity responsible for them announced their imminent sale.
Fourteen bungalows on Pine Close in Hoyland - known as McKay VC Memorial Cottages - are controlled by SSAFA, the oldest charity of its kind in the country which provides lifelong support to ex-service personnel.
They were opened by Princess Margaret on June 9, 1988, and offered to tenants who qualified to live there on a peppercorn rent for life.
However, the Chronicle can reveal that a sale of more than £2m has been agreed with London-based Mountview Estates - much to the dismay of residents who blasted SSAFA’s ‘dereliction of duty’ and claims that Berneslai Homes had failed in its bid to take on their running.
Residents say they have been offered lifetime leases to stay - although some have refused to sign ahead of today’s deadline to do so - but if a bungalow’s occupant dies, the unit would be offered for sale or rent on the open market, ‘flying in the face’ of why the complex was built.
Chris Lloyd, who has lived there since 2006, said SSAFA have broken the rules of a covenant and failed to protect its tenants’ interests.
The 68-year-old added: “The new owner is a buy-and-sell firm - our homes are supposed to be protected to house military veterans but that’s not what they will be in the long-term.
“It’s almost like they’re forgetting who we are.
“We’re ex-service personnel from all manner of backgrounds and we’ve delved deep into SSAFA’s handling of this.
“It’s appalling what they are doing and we will absolutely fight against this injustice.
“We’re all angry but sad, too - they are letting people down and going against what the charity supposedly stands for.”
The site was opened 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 deployed with his unit for service in the Falklands War.
He was killed during the Battle of Mount Longdon, for which he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest accolade for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be given.
A dedication plaque is fitted on the bungalow of Susan Speight, 64, who has held meetings with Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock and Coun Robin Franklin, who represents the Hoyland Milton ward.
She told the Chronicle: “We’re fighting the sale of our homes as they are memorial cottages built in memory of Sgt Ian McKay VC who was killed in the Falklands War.
“Pine Close is one of two remaining SSAFA-run housing sites in the country as others have been sold off such as in Blackpool and the Isle of Wight.
“Its leasehold had more than 80 years left on it and a protected covenant.
“Residents had been told in the past that SSAFA would never sell these bungalows even though other sales had occurred but in October last year we were all informed about our homes being sold at some point in the future.
“We’re hopeful that this matter will be investigated as we have serious questions regarding the sale.
“We’re concerned that they seem to be running the organisation like a business, not as the charity that Colonel Sir James Gildea first established back in 1885.
“He would be mortified to discover how veterans associated with the charity he founded are being treated.”
Ms Peacock, who has met with residents to discuss their plight, revealed she has also sat down with SSAFA’s chief executive about the matter.
“I fully appreciate why there is so much local concern - if you live in Barnsley South and would like to contact me about this, you can do so by contacting my office at stephanie.peacock.mp@parliament.uk.”
SSAFA confirmed to the Chronicle that the sale is expected to be completed by Wednesday but that ten out of the current occupants had signed a lease.
A spokesperson said: “Each year, SSAFA supports around 54,000 veterans, serving personnel and their families from a now tiny number of World War Two veterans right up to people leaving the armed forces this year after injury or illness.
“So, 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, 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’s armed forces 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.”
