Erewash Borough Council (15 007 059)
Summary
Complaints from a couple and a woman about the way the council considered and approved an application for planning permission for a development in the green belt near to their properties.
The complaint
Complaints from a couple and a woman about the way the council considered and approved an application for planning permission for a development in the green belt near to their properties. The couple also complain that the council failed to take enforcement action when the applicant effectively demolished the existing building and built a replacement, despite the fact that planning permission for demolition and construction of a replacement dwelling was refused and permission was only granted for an extension.
Finding
The Ombudsman upheld the complaint and found fault causing injustice.
Recommendations
To remedy the injustice caused, we recommend the council:
- apologise to the couple and the woman;
- review its working practices and procedures regarding how it makes and records the reasons for its decisions; and
- provides training to members on giving proper reasons for their decisions.