Planning officials are facing a bill of £30,000 after losing a landmark legal case over an administrative error.
The High Court has ruled Brighton and Hove City Council acted unlawfully in its decision to allow a family home to be bulldozed and replaced with luxury flats.
The planning committee approved an application in March to demolish Ruston, a £200,000 property in Withdean Avenue, Brighton.
But it should have given reasons for its decision under new laws.
