A second home owner has been described as 'cheeky' for his application for a council tax discount on a property at Redpoll Close, Broadwey.

In a letter to West Dorset district council the home owner asked for a reduction in the tax while the house was revamped at a cost of around £25,000.

Thursday's district council strategy committee was told in a report: “The council tax payer accepted that he would need to pay council tax on the property but did not appreciate that this would be for the full charge.

He is applying for the charge to be reduced due to the fact that he is not using all of the local services on a regular basis.”

The committee heard that if a 50 per cent discount was applied it would cost the council £360 from the date or purchase, in September, to the end of March next year.

Councillors unanimously rejected the application after hearing that what was happening was no different than anyone else doing up a house.

“He's got rather a cheek to even bring this forward,” said Cllr John Russell.