Owner of Sutton Bridge Power Station appeals against liability for business rates

The owner of Sutton Bridge Power Station is appealing against it being liable for business rates.

MPF Operations is currently paying rates to South Holland District Council.

However, a spokesman said: “MPF are aware of various claims currently being pursued in respect of business rates within the UK generation sector.

“We believe such rates should be set in accordance with the sectors prevailing economic conditions and we are monitoring closely judgements within this important area which will help guide our position on this matter going forward.”

The wait for the appeal outcome means the district council’s decision on whether to join a Lincolnshire County Council business rates pooling arrangement is on hold.

All the other six district councils in Lincolnshire have just signed up to the scheme.
It enables more of the collected rates to be kept in the county rather than being sent to central government, and is worth £1.116m to the county council. The aim is to encourage more business enterprise.

A district council spokesman said: “No decision has been taken about the council being part of the business rates pool. We would prefer to be in it.
“The leader Coun Gary Porter has spoken to the Secretary of State to see if the Valuation Office can be encouraged to announce their decision on the power station’s appeal.
“As soon as the Valuation Office tells us that, we can make our decision.”

The gas power station, built in 1999, was sold by EDF Energy to MPF in 2012.