WAVERLEY Borough Council looks set to pick up a hefty bill for costs following a successful appeal for planning consent to hold competitive polo matches at Barfold Farm near Haslemere.

International businessman Adrian Kirby, who founded Cortium Sports, and plays polo for the high goal Cortium team, got the go ahead in August from planning inspector Isobel McCretton to hold up to 20 competitive matches a year at the "first class private polo club" he intends to create,

He also plans to transform a former Admiralty signals station next to the ground into a clubhouse with changing rooms.

Following the appeal decision, Cortium applied for a full or partial award of costs for Waverley's "outstandingly unreasonable behaviour" in withdrawing its original objection on highways safety grounds, at appeal, and changing its case on landscape issues at the start of the inquiry in February, which meant it had to be adjourned for five weeks.

Mrs McCretton decided last week to uphold Cortium's application in part.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.