THE council has taken the unusual step of claiming costs in a planning appeal case, claiming the appellant has “acted in an entirely unreasonable way”.
It is highly critical of some aspects of the appeal statement submitted on behalf of Alan Williams in his appeal over refusal of 28 holiday lodges at Whitmuir Hall, near Selkirk.
The council states: “The planning authority considers that the appellant has acted in a number of ways which are misleading and disingenuous.”
In the council’s view, Mr Williams, through agents CASA Planning, has submitted new evidence to the appeal despite stating within the appeal paperwork that this had not been done.
A claim has also been made that the appellant has referred to a “green tourism plan” that was never submitted with the original application.
The council has also raised issues over the submission of previously withdrawn representations and misquoted email correspondence.
The appeal will be decided after a site visit by reporter Gerry Farrington, with a decision due in May.