'Council exploits the legislation to put on extra tax'

HOME EXTENSIONS CHARGES 'OUTRAGEOUS'

- By CHRIS CAULFIELD Local democracy reporter

"ABSOLUTELY outrageous" tax charges slapped on people carrying out "simple home extensions" by Waverley Borough Council must stop, say residents and MPs.

The local Conservative group has dozens of residents have been unfairly hit with community infrastructure levies and stuck with huge surprise bills, forcing some to have to sell their homes.

The council has promised to carry out a review of the "complex legislation" first brought and has been lobbying central Government to reform a system it says handcuffs authorities.

The Community Infrastructure Levy came into effect in 2010, and updated in 2019. It is a charge levied by local authorities on new developments and seen as an important tool" to deliver the infrastructure needed to support development. It applies to most new developments of more than 100 square metres or more, or creates a new home.

Some may be eligible for relief or exemption, including residential annexes and extensions, and houses and flats which are built by 'self-builders. The problem comes from the "strict criteria that must be met and procedures that must be followed, to obtain the relief or exemption" and can often catch people out.