FOI request (FOIR-759464094)

Expenditure on planning appeals

Requested Thu 23 October 2025
Responded Thu 20 November 2025

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I write to request information regarding the council’s expenditure on planning appeals relating to residential-led developments.

Please provide the following information for each of the financial years (a) 2022/23, (b) 2023/24, and (c) 2024/25:

1. The total number of appeals lodged against decisions relating to residential-led planning applications, and the total number of residential units involved in these appeals.

2. The number of appeals that resulted in planning permission being granted, and the total number of residential units approved as a result of such appeals.

3. The total amount of money spent by the council on legal advice, representation, and any other costs incurred in defending planning appeals.

4. The total amount paid by the council to appellants in respect of costs awarded against the authority in planning appeal cases.

5. Of the total expenditure identified in (3), please specify how much related to appeals that were subsequently allowed (that is, where permission was granted on appeal).

6. The number of appeals that were made against an officer recommendation for approval.

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Response

1. A search can be made on our planning public access website for appeals:

https://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=advanced&searchType=Appeal

The number of residential units can be found in the Associated Planning application description (the Planning application can be found on the Related Cases Tab).

2. A search can be made on our planning public access website for appeals:

https://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=advanced&searchType=Appeal

The number of residential units can be found in the Associated Planning application description (the Planning application can be found on the Related Cases Tab).

3. £31,795

4. £31,795

5. Please see the answer to question 1.

6. Information not held. An Appeal cannot be made against an officer recommendation of approval. If you mean the number of committee decisions made against the officer recommendation that have subsequently been appealed. If so this information is available publicly, please see the answer to question 1.