5:40pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
By Paul Offord
HM Revenue and Customs has launched an investigation at a Canvey caravan park, following complaints from islanders.
Residents have complained to Castle Point Council about Thorney Bay Park, off Thorney Bay Road, claiming hundreds of people are living there permanently without paying council tax.
Last week, the council announced, following a lengthy investigation, it did not feel the site had breached its licence by bringing in many extra caravans and allowing all-year-round occupation.
However, the King family, which runs the park, now faces a probe from the revenue’s Valuation Office Agency.
Revenue spokesman Phil Gillen said: “Issues in connection with the number of caravans on the site and other facilities have been brought to our attention. We are making enquires.”
He would not be more specific about was to be investigated.
However, it is understood the agency is to look into the issue of full-time residents’ council tax liability.
Owner Jeff King claims people only live on the site for a maximum of ten months a year, except in special circumstances, so are not liable.
However, an undercover Echo reporter was recently told by a park worker half the site’s caravans were permanently occupied, while the other half were holiday homes.
The council’s assistant chief executive, Craig Watts, told residents at a Canvey East Community Panel meeting last week it was not down to the council to check Thorney Bay residents’ council tax status.
He said it was down to the Valuations Office Agency.
Between 800 and 900 caravans are currently sited on the park, with many of these thought to have been brought on-site in the past two years.
Mr King said he had not been contacted by the agency so far, and would not comment on the investigation until he knew more about what it would involve.
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