A MINK farm company has been ordered to pay the costs of a planning appeal which it lost.

Terry Smith, who runs Crow Hill Mink Farm, near Ringwood, had asked New Forest District Council for permission to build a house as well as the buildings necessary for a rabbit farm which is intended to replace the mink operation when it closes shortly.

When the council turned down the scheme, Mr Smith appealed to the Department of the Environ-ment, Transport and the Regions for planning permission.

But, once the inquiry had begun, it was revealed that the plans for a house had been dropped and New Forest District Council slapped in a demand for its full legal costs.

Planning inspector Phil Grainger, who conducted the inquiry, gave the go-ahead for the buildings for the planned rabbit farm - provided a properly-approved drainage system is installed in advance.