DEFENDING a decision to reject a wind farm application could cost North Dorset District Council £76,000 - and the taxpayer will foot the bill.

Around one-sixth of an anticipated 24 per cent rise in council tax precept covers the projected cost of defending a decision to refuse planning permission for nine wind turbines in the Winterborne valley.

Finance member Cllr Peter Webb, said the figure of £76,000 was "a low estimate" and covered only the "unavoidable expenses".

He added: "The cost of justice in this country is not always zero."

Although a notice of appeal has not yet been submitted, applicant Your Energy has been granted an extended period within which to appeal.

Its initial planning application was rejected in October amidst overwhelming opposition.

Cllr Webb said: "If we win the appeal it is possible they would pay our costs but that is by no means certain. If we lose, the chance of having to pay their costs is small unless the inspector considers that we made a really bad decision. But the application was dealt with perfectly properly."

Any appeal over the rejected application is likely to take weeks to conclude.

Also playing a part in the proposed council tax increase is the impact of inflation on staff salaries, increased officer numbers in planning and enforcement, demands from government to improve services such as recycling and a complete overhaul of the computer system.

Despite general threats of government capping, North Dorset District Council is considering pressing ahead with its precept increase which would see a band D householder paying around £98.66 instead of £79.50 a year.

But that will still keep the district's precept well below the national average of £137.

A recommendation over the proposal will be put before cabinet this Thursday and a final decision made by council on February 18.

First published: February 9