DAVID HEATH CALLS FOR A STOP TO BOGUS LANDBANK SCAM

3.41.55pm GMT Thu 30th Oct 2008

Somerton and Frome MP, David Heath called for action to stop a scam which is costing unsuspecting purchasers tens of thousands of pounds. Speaking in Parliament today, Mr Heath cited reports in the summer of an internet-based company selling so-called building plots in the village of Dean, near Shepton Mallet. 209 plots, selling for £10-18,000 each, were being offered as part of a putative "Whiley Green" development in Dean, a village of barely more than 30 dwellings. However, the land is agricultural land with no possible future planning permission. Mr Heath believes that purchasers are being misled about the value and prospects of the land.

Mr Heath raised the issue in the House of Commons today, calling for government action to deal with the problem.

David said:

"This practice was uncovered by the local County Councillor Gloria Cawood, and she has asked me to raise it in Parliament. Unfortunately I don't think there is anything currently illegal about what is being done, but it is certainly a scam, in that people are being led to believe that the land they are purchasing could be used in future for housing when it is extremely unlikely that is the case. Because they don't say that the land has permission at the moment, it may not be fraudulent. But the plots are being bought, often by expatriate Brits who may be hoping to retire eventually to a house in the lovely Somerset countryside. Sadly, all they are buying is a field.

The Leader of the House promised me that she would refer the matter to her ministerial colleagues, and suggested that it is a type of fraud. I'm hopeful that we will now see something done, because at the very least it is deceitful and innocent people are likely to lose out unless it is stopped."