Losing planning appeals has cost Wealden taxpayers £440,000 in a single year

The figures were set out in a treasury management report, which was considered by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday (December 7).

It showed that the council, as of quarter two of the 2022/23 financial year, has had £440,000 of costs awarded against as a result of lost planning appeals. The report also showed the council had paid £235,000 in legal and consultant fees related to planning appeals and £145,000 in legal fees connected to enforcement cases.

Cllr Neil Waller, Conservative cabinet member for finance and benefits, said: “Obviously we are aware recently of some very high profile, high cost losses of planning appeals. This unfortunately is where it is reflected.

“I know there was a discussion at [full] council about [how] planning committee should consider very carefully their decisions. Well, this is the financial impact of perhaps not very carefully considering their decisions.”