THE sale of hundreds of rented homes in the shadow of a redundant air base has created uncertainty for young people, according to youth leaders.In the last three months six people have had to leave Rendlesham Youth Group, near Woodbridge, after their homes were sold and it is feared more will go to make way for people wishing to buy homes formerly occupied by American personnel working on the Bentwaters air base.

THE sale of hundreds of rented homes in the shadow of a redundant air base has created uncertainty for young people, according to youth leaders.

In the last three months six people have had to leave Rendlesham Youth Group, near Woodbridge, after their homes were sold and it is feared more will go to make way for people wishing to buy homes formerly occupied by American personnel working on the Bentwaters air base.

Leigh Estates (UK) caused an outcry when it announced the sell-off of the houses at Watersfield Park.

The company has 293 houses on Watersfield Park and Bentwaters Park.

Youth Group chairman, Chris Lee, said: ''Quite a lot of young people are feeling unsettled about their future. They know that their parents are on a shorthold tenancy and they face the possibility of eviction.

''The work that we do at Rendlesham is being affected. One of the aims of the youth club is to promote a sense of being involved in the community. But the young people are saying, 'why should we be bothered, because we will not be here.'"

A spokeswoman for Leigh Estates said Watersfield Park tenants were first told in July, 2000, about the future sale of houses. They were given two months' notice to leave a property and advice on how to find an alternative home.

''We have not tried to hide or spring this on people but if you rent a property there is always the possibility that a landlord will want to regain possession. We have not made a decision about Bentwaters Park and once we do the residents will receive notification,'' she said.