Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group and Oxted Parish Council have been awarded full costs against Croudace due to the developer withdrawing part of the way through a planning appeal and giving no reason.
The award has been made by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. A letter received yesterday notifying OLRG and the Parish Council of the costs award stated: “The Appellant withdrew the appeal on the 6th day of the Inquiry. This is an extremely late stage in the appeal process. The Appellant provided no reason at all for withdrawing their appeal, let alone a good reason. The Rule 6 Party clearly incurred expense in relation to the appeal. The Appellant has not contested the costs claim.”
The letter added: “For these reasons, the Secretary of State has decided that a full award of costs, on grounds of unreasonable behaviour resulting in unnecessary or wasted expense, is justified in the particular circumstances.”
Tandridge District Council has also been awarded full costs. The Council had been defending its decision to refuse planning permission for a housing development on land south of Barrow Green Road, Oxted. OLRG and Oxted Parish Council were joined into the Inquiry as a Rule 6 party which meant we could actively participate.
The Inquiry started on Tuesday 27 January 2026 and had been scheduled to last for nine days. When Croudace withdrew, the planning Inspector had already heard evidence from them, Tandridge District Council, Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group, Oxted Parish Council as well as representations from local residents.
The withdrawal from the appeal means the Council’s refusal of planning permission remains in place.
