Tribunals · Vale of White Horse District Council · 2017 rating list

Noel Williams Racing at Churn Farm, Churn Estate, Blewbury, Blewbury, OX11 9HF

Racing stables and premises Decided 18 February 2026 CHG101093455 Marriott Brown Ltd

OutcomeDismissedThe appeal failed and the rateable value was left unchanged.

Original RV—

Ratepayer sought£31,250

VO conceded first£40,500

Tribunal decided£40,500£6/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 argued for a reduction in the rateable value from £43,750 to £31,250, based on rental evidence from the subject property and arguments that certain facilities were surplus to requirements. The tribunal dismissed the appeal, finding the original RV of £40,500 reasonable. The tribunal accepted the tone of list evidence from comparable racing stables assessments (particularly a price of £570/box adopted by the Valuation Officer), rejected the appellant's exclusion of the grass gallops and indoor arena as unsupported by evidence, and found the appellant had not satisfied the burden of proof to warrant a reduction.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Noel Williams Racing Ltd, represented.

Grounds argued

Rental evidence
Comparable assessments (tone) · decisive
Valuation method

Evidence: Rents, Settled assessments, Expert report
Cases cited: Owen v Bunyan; Simon Earle Racing Ltd and Dal Virk; Joanne Moore v Caroline Bailey; Hobbs v Gidman; Lotus and Delta v Culverwell; O'Brien v Harwood
Hearing: 20 January 2026

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The tribunal’s decision in full

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