§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions he has exercised his power to make an order for costs in respect of a planning appeal dealt with by written representations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryMy right hon. and learned Friend has not yet brought into force the power, in section 322(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to award a party's costs against another party for "unreasonable" conduct in a planning appeal decided on the basis of the parties' written representations. Following a public consultation exercise last year, we intend to publish shortly the Government's revised policy guidance on awards of costs in the entire range of planning proceedings.