A COMPANY that successfully appealed against a Vale Council planning committee decision to reject their application, has slapped the authority with an £80,000 costs bill.

Sunrise Renewables Ltd is claiming the costs incurred from having to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and put forward their case at a three-day public inquiry in Barry in June this year.

The council, which faces having to pay out a minimum of £6,000 in costs incurred by itself, said it was disappointed the planning inspector had determined it had to bear the entire cost burden for the proceedings.

The company had wanted to build a 9MW wood fuelled renewable energy plant at Woodham Road, Barry Dock, but planning committee members decided not to accept council officer recommendations to give the development the green light.

Barry & Vale Friends of the Earth (FoE), Barry residents and a cross-party group of politicians opposed the scheme, but planning inspector Anthony Thickett ruled in favour of Sunrise Renewables.

Barry & Vale FoE has urged the Vale Council to challenge the decision, but members of its planning committee last week ruled out a High Court appeal.

Vale Council head of planning and transportation, Rob Thomas said: "We have received a breakdown of costs from the applicant.

"These details are currently being considered as we need to be certain that all the costs are eligible and ought to be paid by the council.

"Failure to agree or pay the costs submitted will result in the matter being referred to the courts.

"In terms of the council's own costs this includes the significant officer time in preparing for the appeal, producing information and statements. "The other substantial cost relates to the need for the council to engage legal assistance for the Inquiry and the council will need to meet these costs."

He added: "Whilst any decision can be challenged through the courts, this would be on a point of law. "It is my view that the decision cannot be challenged on a point of law.

"No further action will be taken by the council although it should be remembered that if Friends of the Earth feel that the decision can be challenged, it is perfectly at liberty to launch such a challenge in the High Court."

Barry & Vale FoE coordinator, Keith Stockdale said they had a law firm on the case and needed to submit information by next Thursday (August 12).

He said: "We are still hopeful we can take it to the High Court. We have not given up, unlike the Vale Council."

The group hope to gain legal aid to challenge the process, claiming the Environmental Impact Assessment completed by the company was flawed.