The Planning Inspectorate- Wales

Costs - Circular 23/93 (Welsh Office)

Award of costs incurred in planning and other (including compulsory purchase Order) Proceedings

Annex 2 General Procedural Requirements in Appeal Proceedings - Unreasonable Behaviour: Awards against appellants and Planning Authorities

Request for an oral hearing

1. Costs will not be awarded simply because one of the principal parties to an appeal has asked to be "heard". Each principal party has a statutory right to ask for an opportunity to appear before and be heard by a person appointed by the Secretary of State. The exercise of that right will not, in itself, be regarded as unreasonable, even if the appeal could have been adequately dealt with by written representations and a site-inspection. However, once an inquiry or hearing has been formally notified, the principal parties will be at risk of an award of costs if their conduct in the proceedings is unreasonable.