Cheshire East Council (19 011 934)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 19-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action against a developer’s failure to comply with a planning condition. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the injustice relates to ownership of land which is not affected by the grant of planning permission. Part of the complaint is out of time and part is a private matter.

South Lakeland District Council (19 012 092)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 19-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has refused to take enforcement action regarding a garage and neighbouring development, has slandered him, and has failed to deal properly with his freedom of information request. There is no injustice and most of the complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction being made late.

Crawley Borough Council (19 003 735)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 19-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr Y complains about the way the Council carried out enforcement action over a breach of planning control at a site near to his business. The Ombudsman has found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters so has completed his investigation.

Shropshire Council (19 006 140)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 18-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has not taken planning enforcement action against his neighbour. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Kettering Borough Council (19 011 973)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 18-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to taken enforcement action for a breach of planning control which is on land next to a footpath he uses. The Council has explained its actions and has not caused Mr X an injustice.

Reading Borough Council (19 012 427)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 18-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of a planning enforcement case. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault in the Council’s decision not to take action to remove the unauthorised development.

Wiltshire Council (19 011 972)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 16-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr & Mrs X complain about the Council’s decision to order him to move his boundary fence. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as we have not seen any evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.

Cheshire West & Chester Council (19 004 472)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 10-Dec-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has failed to take enforcement action against a neighbour for using a property as a business. There is no evidence of fault in how the Council reached its decision that a business operating from a residential property does not amount to a change of use. The Council is at fault as it delayed in investigating whether there was a material change of use but this did not cause significant injustice to Mrs X. The Council also delayed in responding to Mrs X’s complaint at stage one of the complaints procedure. The Council apologised to Mrs X which is an appropriate remedy.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (19 011 602)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 09-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about drainage at a new housing development adjacent to his home. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for the Ombudsman to exercise his discretion and now investigate.

Rother District Council (19 011 918)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 09-Dec-2019

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s grant of planning permission to a neighbour who plans to build on her partner’s land without authorisation. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council and there is a private remedy.