Home owners pay extra for ''peace and quiet''

People living in areas deemed as being desirable are set to see their council taxes soar.

Incorporated as part of an ongoing re-evaluation of the tax, with proposals to be decided in the near future, people living in peaceful and quiet neighbourhoods could experience considerable hikes.

Areas which have good schools, shops and local services and low crime rates could also see the amount of tax payable rising from £1,000 to £4,000.

Shadow local government secretary, Caroline Spelman denounced the proposals, describing them as a "tax on a civilised society", according to the Telegraph.

She also told the paper: "This is the hallmark of an oppressive and greedy government -finding ever more stealthy ways to tax working families and pensioners."

Ms Spelman''s comments follow a similar council tax re-evaluation carried out in Wales in 2005, with many people living in desirable areas experiencing higher charges.

The current council tax system, created in 1991, places properties in council tax valuation bands from A to H, depending upon their value.

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