COUNCIL tax payers in North East Lincolnshire Council will have to foot the bill after the authority was deemed to have acted "unreasonably" over a planning matter.
As reported in the Grimsby News (June 30), Liverpool firm YPG won its appeal to build an 86-dwelling housing estate on a greenfield site opposite the Tesco superstore in Cleethorpes after its application was refused.
Not only that, but the independent planning inspector has ordered NELC to pay the costs of YPG.
In his report, the inspector says the "council prevented development which clearly should have been permitted".
He adds: "I conclude that substantive unreasonable behaviour resulting in unnecessary or wasted expense has been demonstrated and that an award of costs is justified."
The planning decision was not made by NELC's planning committee but by an Engie officer using delegated powers to act on behalf of the authority.
It is not known how much YPG will claim, but it could be a substantial amount.
There is certain to be an internal inquiry, and councillors on the planning committee are likely to demand a full explanation why they were not consulted.
It is possible that NELC's audit and governance committee will also seek assurances that Engie officers in the planning department are abiding by strict protocols.
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