Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of applying more stringent penalties to local planning authorities when developments are allowed on appeal, such as automatic costs awards in favour of the applicant or other measures.

My Department has made no such assessment.

The award of costs regime exists to encourage good behaviour by all parties in the planning process. Costs may be awarded where a party has behaved unreasonably and has caused another party to incur unnecessary or wasted expense.

Planning decisions are required to be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where local planning authorities have exercised their duty to determine planning applications in a reasonable manner, even if they are overturned at appeal, they should not normally be liable for an award of costs.