Newtown bypass: Council tax bill fury over 'blighted' home

The route of the new Newtown bypass passes within a few yards of the bungalow owned by Robert Roberts.

But Mr Roberts says not only is the Welsh Government refusing to pay the market price to buy the bungalow, but he is now being asked to pay the full rate of council tax.

The 55-year-old says he has been offered £70,000 less than his home in Pool Road, Newtown, is worth.

He insists that he won't move out until he gets the full compensation.

Now his council tax bill which landed on his doormat has doubly infuriated him.

He bought the bungalow seven years ago as his dream home and lives there with his 20-year-old daughter, Kelly.

But Mr Roberts's home will be less than 100 yards from what will be a roundabout on the new road.

Like many householders along the line of the the new bypass he successfully applied for blight order for the bungalow.

But he said the money offered him in exchange for his house is £70,000 less than he says the house was valued at, a figure he does not want to reveal.

Now he says to add insult to injury he has been given a council tax bill for 2017/2018 for £2,127.

"I am appealing," he said.

"How can the council charge me council tax for a house that is blighted?" he said.

"My quality of life has been ruined by the bypass.

"Workmen are there digging just outside my home all hours. They have also driven across my land to put in drains."

Mr Roberts added: "The worry over all this has made me ill. I am not going to give up my property until I am given my rightful amount and until I get this council tax sorted out. If I have to I will go to prison.

"I need the money to replace my house."

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "Our primary focus is always to ensure appropriate value for the homeowner and taxpayer in such circumstances, with negotiations between the district valuer services and the property owner's agent central to securing fair compensation. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further on individual cases at this stage."

John Evans, for Powys County Council, said: "Mr Roberts will have to appeal to the valuation office against the amount of council tax."

He added: "It is the valuers who set the rateable value of each property and we as the council then set the figure charged for the overall council tax."