A Norfolk council leader has branded a tribunal into the sale of a controversial golf course as a waste of time and money. 

Breckland Council has won its appeal against a ruling from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that it must release confidential financial details about its ownership of Barnham Broom Golf Club. 

The tribunal cost the authority £15,000 in legal fees. 

The case arose after Green councillor Timothy Birt lodged a Freedom of Information request with the council, which it refused, before he took the matter to the ICO. 

The ICO said the council had “failed to demonstrate” why particular details could not be immediately published, but Breckland insisted the information is “commercially sensitive” and took the case to a tribunal. 

Sam Chapman-Allen, the authority’s Conservative leader, announced the authority had won its appeal at a meeting on Wednesday. 

Eastern Daily Press: Sam Chapman-AllenSam Chapman-Allen (Image: Breckland Council)

He said: “In dealing with this matter appropriately and confidently we have sought to do what is best in protecting the sensitive confidential interest of a third-party business operating in Norfolk. 

“It is therefore unfortunate that a member of this council felt it necessary to challenge this stance through the ICO.  

“This has resulted in significant officer time and resources being taken away from important work to support both residents and businesses. 

“This member’s action has cost this council £15,000 in unnecessary legal fees. Money that could have been better spent on other projects elsewhere.” 

Eastern Daily Press: Barnham Broom Golf ClubBarnham Broom Golf Club (Image: Barnham Broom Golf Club)

He said their stance has been “fully scrutinised and found correct” with the council acting appropriately. 

The council bought the club in 2006 for £7m and spent another £1.2m on taxes and a further £2m doing it up. 

Last month, Mr Chapman-Allen said he was “confident” Breckland would make a profit from the sale.