A group of chalet owners in West Cumbria – campaigning to reverse a decision to remove their council tax discount – plan to protest outside council meetings.
The group own chalets in Allonby, near Maryport, were given a 50 per cent discount on council tax by the former Allerdale council, but this was removed when the new Cumberland Council came into being on April 1.
The group argues that the discount was removed erroneously and intend to have a ‘strong lobbying presence outside every executive committee and full council meeting’ until the decision is overturned.
Christine Timney, of Workington, chairs the group. She said: “We have no intention of giving up! We believe that Cumberland Council inadvertently removed this discount in the pretence of fairness and levelling up of discretionary discounts within the new unitary council.
“We have since proved that we are the only class A purpose-built holiday chalets, so it is only fair to reinstate the status quo.”
A council tax class A property is not the sole or main residence of an individual, is furnished, and the occupation of which is restricted by a planning condition preventing occupancy for a continuous period of at least 28 days in the relevant year.
The group argues that the chalets are not ‘second homes’ in the traditional sense.
Christine added: “The chalets at Allonby have very limited services in terms of street lighting, refuse facilities, access roads, phonelines, access to wifi etc. The chalet sites are not equipped for winter use, and a planning restriction means that occupation for three-and-a-half months from November to March is prohibited by law.”
Mark Blacklock, of Maryport, is a member of the campaign group.
He said: “We do not own the chalets in the same way you would own a property. We have no deeds and no rights; we could be asked to leave within 14 days. As such our chalets have limited capital value which does not accumulate in line with inflation the way that a second home would.
“We are not denying anyone a home or depleting local housing stock. Instead, we are effectively preserving Allonby’s heritage.”
The group said many of their families had had a presence in Allonby since the Second World War.
