THE expansion of RAF Brize Norton is causing people in Witney to be squeezed out of the rental market, estate agents have said.

West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) last night said it could cause an “enormous amount of damage” to communities.

Around 4,000 service personnel and their families are moving to the area from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, which will close on September 30.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is building homes in Carterton, but they will not be finished until 2016.

In the meantime, the MoD is renting properties within a 10-mile radius of the base, including in Witney.

Andrew Ramsay, director of Martin and Co in Witney, said: “There is a huge property shortage and rents are rising.

He added a three-bedroom house on a Witney estate would have cost about £850 a month last year, but now costs up to £1,100 – a rise of almost 30 per cent.

He said: “There is no doubt of the impact the RAF has had on the local housing.

“It has had an enormous impact – two, three and four-bedroom houses are being let within a few days. It (the MOD) sends a list every month of the properties it is looking for and it is a considerable number.

“It has meant people are being squeezed out and has particularly affected the bottom end of the market..”

He added: “Rental prices will increase further, but not at the same rate.

“The MOD will have made the move by the spring 2012 and we will not be under such pressure.”

Damian Leahy, director of Abbey Properties in Witney, said: “There is a shortage of properties in Witney “The RAF move is a key factor, but Witney is also a desirable place to live.” He added: “It is a landlord’s market at the moment.”

Mr Leahy estimated that rental prices had risen about 10 per cent in the last year.

Deputy manager of West Oxfordshire CAB Lisa Honess said: “There is an issue with benefit claimants finding it difficult to get housing.

“It will mean people moving into areas where there are cheaper rents.”

She said they could lose their support network of friends and family and have employment problems, with higher travel costs.

She added: “If the MoD is bringing in a massive influx of people, it needs to provide housing.” MoD spokesman Tony Moran said: “The transfer of the C130 fleet from RAF Lyneham to RAF Brize Norton has increased the demand for service family accommodation.

“This is being met in a number of ways and includes the rental of properties in Carterton and Witney.”

“The MoD believes the benefits of an enhanced and enduring military presence at RAF Brize Norton is good news for West Oxfordshire.”

Oxfordshire business leaders have said the RAF Lyneham move could boost the county’s economy by about £52m a year.