Development fee increase by 3%???

[sman]

Hi, I just received a letter saying my development fee payable to KK County Council has increased by 3% --- The price index they apply 6 months after planning is granted once you serve your commencement notice. I am about to start building in the next couple of weeks. Is this some sort of joke? Where are they finding a price index of +3%. I would have expected it to decrease by 3% if it was following an index or at least stay the same. Is there any way for me to appeal this decision? or is it a case of pay it or get stuffed?

 

[Vanilla]

You can either

a. Go in and talk to them directly and make a case or
b. Get a local councillor to plead your case ( I rate this) or
c. Complain to ombudsman ( unlikely to do you any good if it is clearly spelt out in your planning permission that the levy is index linked or similar).

 

[mosstown]

from what i have heard, the idea of this is to put people off building new houses i.e. they want you to buy one of the many houses lying empty and unfinished.

 

[sman]

thanks for the replys. Will give them a call today and if getting nowhere will speak to my local councillor. I presume this index was fixed at times of 3% inflation but that surely needs to change now.

 

[sman]

to follow up on this.... spoke to council and made my point about the price index not being 3% and they said the letter was sent out in error and that i didnt need to pay the additional 3%. Just got me thinking? I wonder how many other people got the letter and what would have happened if i hadnt questioned it and paid the higher amount. Any other people get this letter from KK (or any other council)?