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Housing for RAF Brize families 'unsafe and an eyesore'

THEY are living in a ghost town, surrounded by derelict houses, boarded-up homes and drug addicts.

Phil Scott, chairman of Carterton Neighbourhood Action Group, at a house in Pitreavie Avenue which is occupied by squatters Phil Scott, chairman of Carterton Neighbourhood Action Group, at a house in Pitreavie Avenue which is occupied by squatters

And more than 30 families have just been told they will have to live on the estate for another three months before being re-homed.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is undertaking a massive redevelopment project in Carterton – home to hundreds of service personnel and their families based at RAF Brize Norton.

The project, named Programme Future Brize, involves the demolition of 600 properties to make way for about 800 new family homes.

It is part of a scheme to transfer RAF Lyneham to Brize Norton by December 2012.

Squatter Jack Murphy, 20 Squatter Jack Murphy, 20

Fifty-nine families living in married quarters known as Reema North, have been re-homed to other MoD-owned housing in Carterton, Faringdon and Long Hanborough.

However, 33 households remain in Upwood Drive, Tangmere Avenue, Raynham Close, Yatesbury Road, Pitreavie Avenue and Odiham Close.

They say living among abandoned houses has led to a surge in crime, with an increase in burglaries, thefts from gardens and antisocial behaviour.

However, there is no suggestion that the squatters are responsible for the crime.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Oxford Mail police were called to the estate two to three times a week. She blamed the problems on the fact families were being moved at different times, which had left her with no neighbours on either side of her home.

Housing for RAF Brize families 'unsafe and an eyesore' Housing for RAF Brize families 'unsafe and an eyesore'

The mother-of-one said: “It has now become a safety issue.

“We have squatters, garages being broken into and drug paraphernalia on the playing fields.

“The Government has boarded up the houses, which is like a red rag to a bull as it now looks like a derelict estate. It’s just not safe.”

Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: “We were supposed to be moving out in March.

“They should have moved everybody out of a block or a street and flattened them straight away.”

Housing for RAF Brize families 'unsafe and an eyesore' Housing for RAF Brize families 'unsafe and an eyesore'

He added: “My mate moved out on a Wednesday and on Sunday morning he came back to get his mail and already the back door had been kicked in.”

A neighbour added: “I cannot step out of my house without locking it, my garden ornaments have gone missing.”

Last night, Defence Estates (DE), which are employed by the MoD as landlords of the properties, admitted families should have moved out by April.

Spokesman Tony Moran said: “We have tried to move families street-by-street. However, following consultation with residents, it became clear that some families had to move early to meet their welfare needs.

“For example, we needed to consider the requirements of pregnant wives or service personnel with impending out-of-area detachments.”

Phil Scott, chairman of Carterton’s Neighbourhood Action Group, and Adrian Coomber, who works at RAF Brize Norton and is deputy mayor of Carterton, hit out at the MoD.

Mr Scott said: “We understand there are squatters and it’s a haven for all the wrong types of thing, which happens when there is no control over it.

“It’s an eyesore on Carterton’s landscape and the whole things seems to have come to a grinding halt – we are keen to see it going again.”

He added: “I’m appalled at the lack of progress made on the housing project.

“I have contacted DE time and time again to relay the concerns of the people of Carterton with regard to the risk to public safety.”

Defence Estates responded: “The MoD is doing all it can to move families to alternative accommodation as it becomes available, but this process has been hampered by vandalism at another site in the town.

“For that reason, vacated properties at Carterton are being made secure to prevent vandalism or theft and to offer some security for remaining residents.

“MoD police, RAF police and Thames Valley Police are all aware of the challenge. They are working closely together – patrolling the area as frequently as possible.”

DE aims to move all residents by late July. Constituency MP and Prime Minister David Cameron was unavailable for comment.

Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16.

The former Carterton Community College pupil said he could carry on living in the house according to a piece of legislation that protects squatters’ rights.

He has displayed two notices setting out the law on the outside of the property.

Mr Murphy, who grew up in Carterton, said: “I saw that the windows were all smashed up and gained access through the top window.

“I am inspired by people squatting in Hackney, Oxford and Bristol, people have lived there for years. I wanted to follow the movement. It’s an activist thing.

“It’s to do with freedom and living for free, it’s to do with not paying taxes.”

Mr Murphy said that he had electricity and running water in his current squat, as it had not been turned off.

He added: “I want to move around and try to keep the squatters’ rights going as not a lot of people do it around this area. I want to educate people that you can do that.

“People can live for free and not have to pay taxes.

“A lot of people live stressful lives and are always worried – I am trying to educate people about how you can live.

“The money from taxes goes to the wrong people, the money that we get taxed should go to people who are homeless or the Third World.”

Section 6 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 protects squatters’ rights, meaning that they cannot be removed by threats or violence.

The legislation states if squatters are actually present in the location, it is illegal for the owners of the property to kick the squatters out. Squatters post a legal warning in the building, usually on the entrance of the building, which protects their occupancy rights.

Squatters cannot be legally evicted from premises without a court possession order, unless they leave voluntarily or the owner secures peacable re-entry. It can only be fought in the civil courts.

Under squatters’ rights, if a property has been lived in for 12 years then it effectively becomes the property of the squatters.

An MoD spokesman said: “It is our policy to deal with squatters as soon as their presence on MoD property is known, allowing them a short but reasonable time to vacate the property (usually up to seven days), before taking legal action to recover the property.

“We have recently been made aware of the presence of a small number of squatters in properties in Carterton that are awaiting demolition before redevelopment.

“We will be taking action to seek the removal of the squatters to enable new homes to be provided for personnel and their families.”


Comments (23)

02/06/10

w!lliam windsor says...

THEY are living in a ghost town, surrounded by derelict houses, boarded-up homes and drug addicts.

Confused now is this RAF Brize Norton or Blackbird Leys they are talking about ??

02/06/10

JanetJ says...

"Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16".

Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!

02/06/10

w!lliam windsor says...

JanetJ wrote:
"Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16".

Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!

02/06/10

Petrol Head says...

w!lliam windsor wrote:
JanetJ wrote: "Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16". Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!
Why don't they just send a few troops in at the dead of night, I would love to see the look on his face then.

02/06/10

Transformer says...

w!lliam windsor wrote:
JanetJ wrote: "Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16". Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!
For anyone thinking of taking up a new hobby ... I wonder whether there is a squatting club locally?

And back on planet earth ... I wonder whether Mr Murphy claims benefits, uses public transport, visits a doctor, would expect to be served by the emergency services etc. and how does he think these services are paid for?

02/06/10

Petrol Head says...

Constituency MP and Prime Minister David Cameron was unavailable for comment. ................
A couple of weeks ago he was in his Witney boozer, just one of the lads. And now he has forgotten who he was elected to represent, good on you Davey Boy, keeping up the high standards expected by our M.Ps. P.S. As it seems he has forgotten about our armed forces, I wonder if he will forget to send them to their deaths in Afghanistan?

02/06/10

jackmurphy says...

Transformer wrote:
w!lliam windsor wrote:
JanetJ wrote: "Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16". Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!
For anyone thinking of taking up a new hobby ... I wonder whether there is a squatting club locally? And back on planet earth ... I wonder whether Mr Murphy claims benefits, uses public transport, visits a doctor, would expect to be served by the emergency services etc. and how does he think these services are paid for?
I do know about these services but i wish not to be involved in them. Its not natrual. We live in a natrual inviroment.

You make think all i do is TAKE and TAKE from the government. But i like to share MUSIC at the Ridgeway through soundsystem's playing Techno. I like skateboarding and sharing tricks with others. Spreading the conspiracys that the police wish not to expose. Things that are kept secret are being exposed. I was detained under the offical secrecy act because i was filming a police car out side my adress. This is corruption. Stand your ground.

If you wish to pay your taxes and use those services then keep being a good boy and "keep it real" Or whatever the prime minister says.

02/06/10

jackmurphy says...

Please correct my spelling becuase the educational system i was forced into was not good enough.


VISIT

www.TPUC.ORG - Postive people

WWW.4CHAN.ORG - Anonymous group

http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Squatters

02/06/10

Harry Broke It says...

fairplay jack it's not like anyone is getting hurt by all this..... I pay loads of tax so for the small minded people moaning about if you will ever need a doctor or an emergency service then consider it payed for by my tax !

02/06/10

Freethinker1989 says...

jackmurphy wrote:
Please correct my spelling becuase the educational system i was forced into was not good enough. VISIT www.TPUC.ORG - Postive people WWW.4CHAN.ORG - Anonymous group http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Squatters
I think its a shame that somone so young has such a un-realistic opinion of the world. Sharing Skateboarding tricks and music is hardley giving back to the world in a way which highly benefits it.

02/06/10

Vickychinninck says...

Not to be funny...but most of the people i find who live in the houses provided by the RAF have bought houses that they rent out for a huge price...hence squatters...people just cant afford the high prices of rented accomedation the council cant help and the RAF pay pittance for living where there do!!!!!!!!!!! but have 2 3 4 bed houses they rent out

02/06/10

LongTimeResident says...

I have lived in Reema north for the past three years and was thrilled to have been posted to an estate that felt safe and was full of life. Having lived in Carterton my whole life i knew exactly which quarters i wanted and which i did not! Regardless of the issues that have led to this once pleasant neighbourhood descending into a place to avoid for your own safety, the residents that have not yet been moved to suitable accomodation need to be cared for. The now derelict houses pose a threat for Carterton residents and need to be demolished. Having spent many a sleepless night waiting for my husband to return from his nightshift, afraid to go to sleep as there was no one left in my street to help me if anything was to happen to me in the middle of the night, i can not understand why we seem to have been forgotten. Surely the problems of Upwood Drive should have served as an example of what would happen if this project was not handled correctly. Get your act together DE, step up and take care of those of us that depend on you

03/06/10

jackmurphy says...

Koalition government ?

03/06/10

jackmurphy says...

Big up.

03/06/10

Petrol Head says...

jackmurphy wrote:
Transformer wrote:
w!lliam windsor wrote:
JanetJ wrote: "Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16". Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!
For anyone thinking of taking up a new hobby ... I wonder whether there is a squatting club locally? And back on planet earth ... I wonder whether Mr Murphy claims benefits, uses public transport, visits a doctor, would expect to be served by the emergency services etc. and how does he think these services are paid for?
I do know about these services but i wish not to be involved in them. Its not natrual. We live in a natrual inviroment. You make think all i do is TAKE and TAKE from the government. But i like to share MUSIC at the Ridgeway through soundsystem's playing Techno. I like skateboarding and sharing tricks with others. Spreading the conspiracys that the police wish not to expose. Things that are kept secret are being exposed. I was detained under the offical secrecy act because i was filming a police car out side my adress. This is corruption. Stand your ground. If you wish to pay your taxes and use those services then keep being a good boy and "keep it real" Or whatever the prime minister says.
I wish that they would spend my taxes on a well targeted Paveway, or if that is too extreme a straightjacket and a gag.

03/06/10

Harry Broke It says...

Petrol Head wrote:
jackmurphy wrote:
Transformer wrote:
w!lliam windsor wrote:
JanetJ wrote: "Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16". Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!
For anyone thinking of taking up a new hobby ... I wonder whether there is a squatting club locally? And back on planet earth ... I wonder whether Mr Murphy claims benefits, uses public transport, visits a doctor, would expect to be served by the emergency services etc. and how does he think these services are paid for?
I do know about these services but i wish not to be involved in them. Its not natrual. We live in a natrual inviroment. You make think all i do is TAKE and TAKE from the government. But i like to share MUSIC at the Ridgeway through soundsystem's playing Techno. I like skateboarding and sharing tricks with others. Spreading the conspiracys that the police wish not to expose. Things that are kept secret are being exposed. I was detained under the offical secrecy act because i was filming a police car out side my adress. This is corruption. Stand your ground. If you wish to pay your taxes and use those services then keep being a good boy and "keep it real" Or whatever the prime minister says.
I wish that they would spend my taxes on a well targeted Paveway, or if that is too extreme a straightjacket and a gag.
yeah I agree you do need gagging, and maybe a straightjacket might stop you all being such a bunch of little followers ! who said that we have to all conform to the same way of life ??? my grandad fought for people to have a choice and so do the armed forces out fighting today ! so you might not like it but thats life, Jack obviously needed somewhere to live and found somewhere empty where he could live so fairplay to him.....

04/06/10

Freethinker1989 says...

Harry Broke It wrote:
Petrol Head wrote:
jackmurphy wrote:
Transformer wrote:
w!lliam windsor wrote:
JanetJ wrote: "Unemployed Jack Murphy, 20, has been squatting in Pitreavie Avenue for the past three weeks. It is his first squat, after he became interested in squatting when he was 16". Shame he didn't become interesrted in working for a living!
When did squatting become a hobby that you get 'interested' in, I thought it was done through necessity !!!
For anyone thinking of taking up a new hobby ... I wonder whether there is a squatting club locally? And back on planet earth ... I wonder whether Mr Murphy claims benefits, uses public transport, visits a doctor, would expect to be served by the emergency services etc. and how does he think these services are paid for?
I do know about these services but i wish not to be involved in them. Its not natrual. We live in a natrual inviroment. You make think all i do is TAKE and TAKE from the government. But i like to share MUSIC at the Ridgeway through soundsystem's playing Techno. I like skateboarding and sharing tricks with others. Spreading the conspiracys that the police wish not to expose. Things that are kept secret are being exposed. I was detained under the offical secrecy act because i was filming a police car out side my adress. This is corruption. Stand your ground. If you wish to pay your taxes and use those services then keep being a good boy and "keep it real" Or whatever the prime minister says.
I wish that they would spend my taxes on a well targeted Paveway, or if that is too extreme a straightjacket and a gag.
yeah I agree you do need gagging, and maybe a straightjacket might stop you all being such a bunch of little followers ! who said that we have to all conform to the same way of life ??? my grandad fought for people to have a choice and so do the armed forces out fighting today ! so you might not like it but thats life, Jack obviously needed somewhere to live and found somewhere empty where he could live so fairplay to him.....
I think if you read it properly Harry Broke It then you will see Mr Murphy sees squatting as an interest... which no doubt causes great offence to people that really do have to squat.

04/06/10

Harry Broke It says...

I have read it properly and he is no different from any other squatter, who are you to talk about his circumstances and weather or not he really needed to squat !

04/06/10

Harry Broke It says...

I have read it properly and he is no different from any other squatter, who are you to talk about his circumstances and weather or not he really needed to squat !

04/06/10

really!!! says...

i no a few squatters and the majority squat through choice, i'ts a way of life i would choose for my self if i could be guarenteed a wash every day.

05/06/10

Petrol Head says...

Harry Broke It wrote:
I have read it properly and he is no different from any other squatter, who are you to talk about his circumstances and weather or not he really needed to squat !
You are right mate, and you have won me over. The next time you pop out into the garden leaving your back door open I think I will gain peaceful entry and lock the door behind me, give you a cheerful wave from the window as I use your gas and electricity to cook your food, drink your wine cellar dry, and use your washing up sink as a toilet, after 6 months and many £1,000s spent in court to get me out, I wonder if you will think squatters are so wonderful then?

08/06/10

wangchung says...

Jack Murphy for prezzident....er....
.pressydent.....oh my.....it appears you do need spelling and education in the real world.

Squatters do not have the right to be society's parasites....we have enough of those already.
Get back to college Jack and join the human race.

09/06/10

Harry Broke It says...

Petrol Head wrote:
Harry Broke It wrote:
I have read it properly and he is no different from any other squatter, who are you to talk about his circumstances and weather or not he really needed to squat !
You are right mate, and you have won me over. The next time you pop out into the garden leaving your back door open I think I will gain peaceful entry and lock the door behind me, give you a cheerful wave from the window as I use your gas and electricity to cook your food, drink your wine cellar dry, and use your washing up sink as a toilet, after 6 months and many £1,000s spent in court to get me out, I wonder if you will think squatters are so wonderful then?
My door always unlocked pal, and good luck geting past my dogs too... This is the sort of narrow minded view that ruins ths country, see he squating empty houses that are going to be demolished anyway ! not moving into an occupied house while the owner has popped down the shops..... way I see it is we all payed for them raf houses through tax anyway, its the mistake of the developers who left empy houses standing for months not the Squaters.....


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