Charge to appeal planning applications

Anyone objecting to a planning application on the Island will now be charged £150.

The Department of Infrastructure is introducing the fee as a way of recouping costs.

Until the start of the month people could appeal applications for free - however the department says it now needs to cover the costs of preparing for and attending appeal hearings.

Around 300 planning appeals are received each year which is more, per head of population, than those submitted in other similar jurisdictions.

However anyone who is successful in their appeal process will be entitled to a full refund.