Flooding

When we bought a house in the eighties it was protected by well maintained sea defences.

Thatcher introduced the Poll Tax later the Council Charge and then stopped sea defence maintenance.

Seven years later I had a letter from the local council saying that “the sea defences were at the end of their useful life”

I read the Council Tax Regulations, there was one ground to appeal to the valuation”that there had been a material change in the surroundings”

I appealed the valuation which was then reduced to site value , the council repaid the seven years charge .

But no one believed me I was accused by the council of destroying the value of up to one thousand properties localy.

As the block grant was paid by the charge collected, this would then be lost.

The council resumed maintenance and years later the scheme I had designed was completed at the cost of £7 million

So individuals can make a difference.

quote from relevant regulations

 "change of circumstances substantial physical changes have taken place in the area where you live since the property was first banded"

Every area where the flood defences have not been maintained or deliberately been abandoned can appeal to have their valuation to be reduced to site value and then say because the site cannot be sold for development that resale valueis non existent.

I did get valuation reduced and received seven years difference in charge refunded
RESULT CAMERON HAS BOUGHT OFF CONCERNS BY ANNOUNCING A NEBULOUS SCHEME FOR ONE YEAR ONLY