Tribunals · City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council · 2017 rating list

Bradford College, Garden Mills, BD7 1AY

College and premises Decided 5 June 2023 CHG100657149 Montagu Evans - Richard Wackett

OutcomeAllowed in partThe tribunal reduced the rateable value, but by less than the ratepayer sought.

Original RV£1,650,000£1766/m²

Ratepayer sought£1,265,000

VO conceded first£1,590,000−4% before the hearing

Tribunal decided£1,390,000£1766/m²

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant college argued that the Old Building was functionally obsolete and superfluous, with only 3% utilisation, and should be valued at a much higher obsolescence allowance than the 55% applied (proposing 100% or nil value). The tribunal found that while 55% was insufficient given the building's redundant status following completion of the David Hockney Building in 2014, 100% was inappropriate as the building remained in minor use. The tribunal allowed the appeal in part, determining that a 90% obsolescence allowance more reasonably reflected the age, obsolescence, and significant financial burden of the outdated building, reducing the RV from £1,650,000 to £1,390,000.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Bradford College, represented.

Grounds argued

Valuation method · decisive
Comparable assessments (tone)
Change of circumstances

Change of circumstances: completion of new building
Evidence: Expert report
Cases cited: Stephen G Hughes (VO) v Exeter City Council [2020] UKUT 0007 (LC); Gardiner & Theobald LLP v David Jackson (VO) [2018] UKUT 0253 (LC)
Hearing: 12 May 2023

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The tribunal’s decision in full

Download the PDF · Find it on valuationtribunal.gov.uk