Taxpayers foot bill for council's bungled attempt to see Downland farms
The authority was forced to do a dramatic u-turn earlier this year – and in the run-up to hotly contested county council elections – over its plans to sell the farms after a public backlash and a referendum.
An FOI has shown the total cost to taxpayers was £177,608.25 which is made up of £107,992.05 in legal fees and £63,176 paid to agents Strutt and Parker.
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Hide AdA council spokesperson said the council did not employ any staff solely for the project, nor did any staff work solely on the project full-time. “Work associated with the project was undertaken as part of council staff normal working duties,” said the spokesperson.
The Liberal Democrat administration came under intense pressure to reverse plans to sell the farms after a massive protest campaign.