The decision to reject plans for a new poultry farm has cost Lichfield District Council more than £32,000.
The proposal for six new units at Cleat Hill Farm in Haunton was initially rejected due to its position near local villages and the volume of HGV traffic it would bring to the area.
However, following an appeal and a four-day public inquiry in December, the council’s decision was over-ruled – and the local authority ordered to pay costs.
And now a document to be discussed at a meeting of Lichfield District Council’s planning committee has revealed the price of the wrangle.
Costs of £15,1228.71 have been agreed, while a further £17,200 was spent defending the appeal.
The report recognised that the bill was a particularly unwelcome one for the council: “The costs associated with defending appeals or paying any award of costs awarded against the ouncil in relation to such appeals have to be paid from the planning application budget, therefore this puts significant additional pressure on budgets and resources that are unforeseen.
“Planning committee is advised to be mindful of guidance in relation to appeals and awards of costs in making their decisions on planning applications, to ensure any decisions made are sustainable at appeal.”
