We paid council tax (earlier poll tax) on our homes and commercial rates on our companies.
We accepted this as fair – as it was.
Now we find that our once-peaceful suburban homes are suffering because of those who buy domestic premises and operate substantial businesses from them.
This causes considerable nuisance to their neighbours and lessens property values.
Have you ever tried to sell a really fine property when viewers are appalled by the prospect of living virtually on a lorry park?
Commercial vehicles are parked day and night on pavements, causing problems for wheelchairs and prams – and damaging footpaths.
No-one objects to self-employed plumbers, painters, electricians etc operating from home.
But those who operate substantial businesses 24/7, with men and vehicles coming and going, and machines and scaffolding being stored in back gardens are causing despair.
They should pay commercial rates.
Name and address supplied

Don't copy Lee by lying on your CV
Apprentice finalist Lee McQueen was last week crowned by Sir Alan Sugar as his new protégé – despite being found out for lying on his CV.
Mr McQueen had claimed that he had been to university for two years, when he'd actually dropped out after four months.
So should job seekers consider lying on their CV? Absolutely not.
While in Mr McQueen's case Sir Alan Sugar seems to have overlooked this misdemeanour, not all employers would be so forgiving. Not being honest may not only damage your reputation when looking for another job, but a prospective employer may have a higher expectation of your ability than you are capable of.
If you are honest, but show you are willing to learn, it gives them an opportunity to train you and you can succeed on your merit.
Steven Kirkpatrick, managing director, Adecco UK and Ireland,
via email

Let's lead the way with nuclear again
At last a Labour Minister with whom I can agree. John Hutton has stated that in order to safeguard the UK's future power supplies we need to commence building nuclear power stations as soon as possible in order to meet our targets on carbon emissions, while catering for our future energy needs.
This is good news for British firms and jobs after years of dithering by past ministers.
The only problem I see is that it usually takes 10 years from the commissioning of any nuclear power station to them coming on stream.
We were world leaders in nuclear power construction and generation 50 years ago but that advantage has since been wasted by our resident pessimists.
John Tilley, Chorley

Contact us if you served on ships
Did you ever serve on board any of the light fleet carriers, HMS Bulwark, HMS Albion, or HMS Centaur?
The HMS Bulwark Albion Centaur Association is open to anyone who served on these ships.
While our home port is Portsmouth, next year's AGM and Social will be held at Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston super Mare on May 30.
Membership is £8 per annum.
Leigh Easton, Glenmoray, Hayford Place, Cambusbarron, Stirling, FK 9JX (email ngsfo@tiscali.co.uk or see www.bulwarkassoc.plus.com)