Council defends its extensions charges

A Dorset district council has defended its decision to charge what has been called a "bedroom tax" on home extensions.

Purbeck District Council has come under fire from local residents and an MP over the issue.

However, the planning authority says the charge of £993 is only levied on house extensions which require planning permission and goes into a fund mainly designed to improve transport provision.

The fund has been set up to finance transport improvements in the Purbeck area planned to reduce congestion on the A351. The measures include subsidies and improvements in the local bus network and proposals to bypass two villages, Bere Regis and Wool. To date the charge has raised some GBP 350,000.

"These improvements will take pressure off the existing road network which is causing congestion, pollution and inconvenience to local residents," said councillor Gary Suttle, leader of the council.

He added: "Government guidance allows councils to raise funds locally to resolve such issues. The other alternative is no development at all or a congestion charge, both of which the district council is keen to avoid. There is no other way of getting this money if people want to see an improved road scheme, this is the only way we believe that we can finance that."

Local MP Jim Knight, whose constituency covers South Dorset, said: "I don’t mind developers having to pay more money because they are building houses to improve roads, etc. But it’s unfair for residents because it just looks to me and to the people I represent as a money-making scheme for the council rather than it being something that’s fair or reasonable."

A spokesperson for Communities and Local Government said: "Local councils need to be careful in using their powers in this way that they have clear and justified policies that show that these contributions really are necessary to support community infrastructure."

Roger Milne

19 June 2008