A ROOM with a view could land you with a massive hike in council tax if a government formula for valuing houses is rubber-stamped.

Householders across Dorset and Hampshire will be among those to suffer if Labour plans to charge more council tax on homes with a view of the sea, hills or a golf course are approved.

Bournemouth's biggest landlord Dave Wells, who lives in a £2 million pad at Sandbanks overlooking Brownsea Island, welcomed plans to increase the level of tax paid by band H properties if it meant Band A residents pay less. But he said council tax should be determined by property value not views.

He added: "People living in a small studio flat in Bournemouth pay £800 in council tax - I'm in band H paying £1,500. We've dearer properties so we should pay higher tax. There are four people living in my house yet we're only paying twice as much as those living alone in a studio flat - that's not fair."

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has invested £45million on a computer program, which features a number of 'value indicators' to determine how much each homeowner should be taxed when the new bandings are decided.

Various factors from the number of bedrooms and garages to what the conservatory is made of and proximity to a conservation area, golf course or coast, will be taken into consideration and homes will be moved up a band accordingly.

Cllr Ron Parker, who lives in Canford Cliffs, said: "In Poole we would be extremely disappointed with this measure. It would have a serious impact.It's another stealth tax and would be a serious problem for pensioners who are struggling with the big increase in council tax anyway. If they have a property with a view this will be devastating. It will mean only people with high income can afford to live here."

MPs are expected to delay the revaluation until next year pending the result of the Lyons review or local government finance. But in the meantime systems are being put in place to ease any changes.

First published: November 7