‘Thisisadisgustingand disturbingplanofaction.’

The deal for Peterborough City Council to use the 74 properties at St Michael’s Gate for temporary accommodation has been heavily criticised. Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson said what the council was doing was “unfair.” He added: “I’m seriously concerned the council is making a big error. It needs to find out the housing situation of each tenancy which is ending before signing the deal. “It seems foolish to make a large number of people potentially homeless.” Liberal Democrat councillor Darren Fower said: “This is a disgusting and disturbing plan of action by the Tory-led city council. I can just about handle their regular and embarrassing undertakings which help give our city the title of Pottyborough, but this latest situation is morally wrong.” Labour and Co-operative councillor Ed Murphy said: “This is a speculative property company making money out of people’s misery and the council is colluding with them by giving them a financial incentive to evacuate people.” Residents at St Michael’s Gate have told the Peterborough Telegraph they have contracts until next year but have been given an early notice to leave by Paul Simon Magic Homes, which is letting the homes to Peterborough City Council to use as temporary accommodation. Councillor Irene Walsh, council cabinet member for communities and environment capital, said: “If anyone at all is being forced out before the termination of their lease it concerns me. “The decision (to sign the deal) is being called in and this will then give us that breathing space to look into those allegations. “If there was any coercion there would be a very strong possibility I would not support the deal. “If there are allegations we will dig deep.” Cllr Walsh, though, believes the council made the right decision to put up homeless families at St Michael’s Gate, as the 74 households were being evicted anyway. She said: “We had no other option really.”