CHILTERN District Council could face a barrage of applications for reduced council tax payments after an historic legal ruling that travellers camps can devalue property.

On Tuesday, June 28, the Valuation Tribunals Service upheld an appeal by Essex homeowner Len Gridley, that a camp in his home town of Basildon had severely affected the price of his house.

The ruling, which saw Mr Gridley's three-bedroom home downgraded from council tax band E to B, is now a talking point in Holmer Green, where dozens of showmen moved in last year.

Kevin Fagan, of Earl Howe Road, told the Free Press: "Clearly if you have got houses backing onto that piece of land it's not good for those people is it?

"I have not met a single person who wants them here that's the general feeling I get. These people seem to be above the law."

Under the council tax system homes were placed into bands between A and H, depending on their value in 1991.

But some homeowners, living adjacent to the Greenacres site in Earl Howe Road, believe that the presence of showmen has lowered property prices and scared off prospective buyers.

Michael Hawley, of Beech Tree Road, told the Free Press the ruling potentially paved the way for thousands of similar appeals up and down the country.

He said: "The council must be concerned because this is a precedent.

"As it stood the law favours law-breakers something had to give.

"Why shouldn't people seek council tax reductions.?

"The council have had over a year to act.

But what have they done in that time? Nothing."

Commenting on the ruling the Government's Valuation Office Agency VOA, which assesses the value of homes for council tax, said that all applications would be assessed on merit.

A spokesman told one national newspaper: "This ruling will have a bearing on what we decide.

"The tribunal option will remain for anyone unsatisfied with our valuation."

Cllr Tom Dodd, leader of Chiltern District Council, when approached by the Free Press said that he was unable to comment on the matter at the moment because he knew insufficient details.