§ Mr. Simeonsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that parties successful in the defence of their homes in respect of planning decisions shall not be placed at a disadvantage with regard to payments made to third parties as compared with those successful in defending their right to drive their motor cars on the highway.
§ Mr. Graham PageIn accordance with the views of the Council on Tribunals awards of costs to third parties at planning inquiries are made only in special circumstances such as occasions when an inquiry has had to be postponed or abandoned. The corollary to this is that third parties can put forward their objections at an inquiry without fear of an award of costs being made against them should their objections be unsuccessful or shown to be without foundation.