[2025] UKUT 163 (LC)

For the appellant Mr Hatchwell called Mr Matthew Hawkins BSc(Hons) MRICS, a director at Colliers International specialising in rating appeals for business space across the South East, but with a particular focus on the Home Counties and Greater London.

For the respondent Mrs Franklin called Mr Andrew Steel MRICS Dip.Rating, a member of the National Valuation Unit of the Valuation Office Agency. Since 2021 he has specialised in the valuation of large industrial properties for rating purposes on a nationwide basis. He had not been involved in formulating the tone for distribution warehouses in Hemel Hempstead or undertaken any of the valuations for the 2017 rating list. Mr Steel had, however, dealt with a challenge on Unit 1 at 1, Boundary Way, HP2 7EQ, revising the valuation before well-founding the challenge and updating the valuation list.

We have identified the following issues between the parties: