"Double standards" lead to business rate hike

By kstyan

BUSINESSES receiving village shop relief will no longer receive the reduction because Lingfield has "grown too large".

But developers can still build on greenbelt land in the village under the rural exception scheme.

This has led the district council to be accused of having double standards.

Paul Hearnden, chairman of Lingfield Chamber of Commerce, told the Courier and Observer: "There seems to be double standards.

"It was always going to be a problem as the village expanded."

Mr Hearnden said businesses had already struggled with the snow, were losing business because of the village's parking problems and the gas main works expected to last for 14 weeks.

"Lingfield is not a village that can take a large influx of people. From a practical point of view it still comes back down to whether we have enough dentists, doctors' surgeries and schools."

Lingfield Parish Council chairman Ron Palmer said the change in rates was "scandalous".

"If they [Tandridge District Council] want to take money from us we are not rural. If they want to dump affordable housing on us we are rural."

A spokesperson for Tandridge District Council confirmed that the village was no longer classified as a rural settlement.

"This affects four businesses in the town that previously qualified for village shop relief. We have advised these businesses of the change and are working with them to help minimise any increase through other available reliefs.

"Lingfield Common is assessed separately as a rural settlement and continues to receive village shop relief where applicable."

Referring to development in Lingfield she added: "Lingfield is defined as a Larger Rural Settlement in the Core Strategy DPD 2008. The Core Strategy also defines Lingfield as a settlement where rural exception sites may be released in accordance with Core Strategy Policy CSP5.

"The revaluation of business rates for April 2010 means around 90 per cent of Lingfield businesses see a reduction in their business rates this year."

The spokesperson explained that business rates is a national scheme and changes to it are not determined by Tandridge District Council.

A meeting between councillors, the owners of village businesses and representatives from Tandridge District Council and Surrey County Council was due to take place last night (Wednesday).