Durham area? Hope you will complain to your Council

It's 30 years since the council worker was killed in the course of his work. So there were some regulations being enforced. Just not for the Cummings.

That was an entirely different case. For a start he'd already been refused planning permission and the building was visible.

Incidentally, in his blog Cummings claimed that he and his father built one of the properties; described it as a 'bunker'.

Nor is the spot particularly isolated, as in way out in the countryside. It's not far from Durham. But, as I said, it's not particularly visible from the road and the few neighbours there are, the farm development and the pub, may not have been particularly interested.

I wouldn't be too surprised about a builder willing to take a backhander, though. There are cowboys in every trade.

Yes of course there are, but no one can categorically know that about an event 20 odd years ago! Perhaps the family don't feel that explanations are any business of the general public! I honestly can't see biba that it is anything to do with you! I certainly wouldn't consider any possible infringement of Swiss law anything to do with me which I'm sure you'd be the first to tell me!!

Jaberwork, I am British, have been a British tax payer from the age of 19 (and that was a looong time ago)- and still am- and still pay my council taxes and abide by UK Law. So is all my family. Please desist these ridiculous comments.

Some people have had their houses bulldozed for planning infringement, and people are losing their homes and even going to prison, for not being able to pay their council tax due to extreme hardship.

Ah but they don't own acres of countryside and they don't have in-laws with a castle!

Eh?!! Again biba a matter of opinion! Again you have no.proof of anything!

Jabberwock, people have been imprisoned for failing to pay council tax and for a lot less than the Cummings family owe.
www.theguardian.com/money/2019/apr/12/woman-jailed-council-tax-bill-she-could-not-pay

They have for not paying a TV licence! If these peop!e are guilty no doubt they'll have to pay as far back as the law allows, but no one on here can dictate that!

No Jaberw- the fact people have been sent to prison, and lost their home- is NOT a matter of opinion. Thanks.

MayI remind you too, that I am not the only Gransnetter who currently lives outside the UK, thank you.

No-one currently knws exactly how the massive building on the Cummings land has come about - however, there is clear and abundant evidence, that they have not been paying Council Tax on it. Clear as a bell.

No doubt it will sorted out!

Jabberwock, at the moment, the position is that no action is going to be taken! That is £30,000 to £50,000 lost to the local council. I cannot understand why they are not pursuing it.

Some of the land will be agricultural land, the properties could have a section 52 , so different tax and not straight forward to sort out so many years later, who knows, councils have amalgamated, (ours has) since 2002, so could be a minefield if this is the case. Most likely though the time limit has run out for back tax! Simple as that!

I sincerely hope that the people in that Council will challenge the decision, in the Press, with their MPs, and more. That money was stolen fraudulently from the people of the area- and lost to the services.

Because they have no case to pursue I imagine.
biba You are Swiss and have dual nationality but do not live anywhere near Durham, so your interest in this matter where there is no case to answer anyway) is a bit bizarre.
You seem to have it in for Dominic Cummings, even though it isn’t him that built a house in the grounds, but his relatives.
Scraping the barrel ( and an old barrel by the sounds of it.)

Since nobody in that area is interested, you will have to take it up with the Council yourself.?Good luck with that.

I find it fairly weird that people are only allowed an opinion about the area they live in, I have opinions about some things that go on in Scotland and Brazil. I wasnt aware there was a geographical limit.

I am in county Durham and interested if that makes you feel better.

you will have to take it up with the Council yourself

That's a good idea.

It's not as if we can do much about it, particularly as I live in Wales and it is mostly devolved here.

Constant reference to Switzerland is just 100% out of order.
I am British, and a British tax payer, with a British property- and not the only person on GN who lives abroad currently. Others post, but never a comment on their location.

And yes, I do 'have it in for Cummings' and for very good reasons. He is pulling the strings behind the destruction of our country (yes, it is mine too), the one where I paid taxes all my life- so that local services and national services can be supported. He is the man currently behind the destruction of our NHS, our agriculture and industry- and our very Democracy. You will find that I am not the only one who is very unhappy about his rotten influence, and his hypocrisy.

Galaxy, I lived in the UK since 1970 - and became British in 73- and 'served^all my adult life in State Schools in the UK- my children and grandchildren are still there, all our family in fact. And we do have a small property there and would love to spend more time there, but Covid is preventing us for now.

It is actually bullying- racism even, in a way- and will not be tolerated. Any futher mention will be reported to GN immediately.

Some of the land will be agricultural land, the properties could have a section 52 , so different tax and not straight forward to sort out

None of the extra dwellings are on agricultural land, Jaberwok. The original house was the lodge for a local 'great house. The extra buildings are within the boundaries of the gardens.

I do know because I live very near it and have passed it hundreds of times.

You seem to have it in for Dominic Cummings, even though it isn’t him that built a house in the grounds, but his relatives.

No lemon. Cummings described in his blog (which he has kept for many years, how he and his father built one of them.

Anyway, what is your 'qualification' for posting about it. You don't live anywhere near Durham either.

Yes it is biba, I couldn't care less if you or anyone spend 80% of their time in a small holding on the moon.

Yes, anyone can post on this matter, but I find it bizarre to be so interested and bothered by a planning decision that doesn’t concern you at all.
Local people, yes, perhaps may complain about it, but this sounds to be closed now and the Council not interested .
Instead of railing against Cummings, take it up with Durham Council.

He's above the law biba, as he has proved before now.

Careful Callistemon ! He may come and build a house next to you??