To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has spent on legal fees in defending the application for administrative review brought by David Bliss and others in respect of the proposed eco-town at Long Marston; how much her Department has allocated for expenditure on the case up to the time it is heard; and how much it has allocated for its legal fees incurred in each case. (236981)

At this stage, in defending the application for administrative review in respect of the proposed eco-town at Long Marston, costs of approximately £22,000 have been incurred by the Department. However, this figure represents a snapshot as costs will continue to be incurred up until the court hearing (date to be confirmed). There is no fixed allocation as such for costs in this case or in respect of any such future cases that might arise.

We believe we have acted properly throughout the eco-towns process and will defend this claim vigorously. The Government remain of the view that the claim is premature in challenging an on-going consultation process.