Worcester City Council (19 009 553)

Statement Upheld Other 18-Feb-2020

Summary: A local interest group complained the decision notice the Council issued on a hedgerow removal application did not reflect the decision that the planning committee took on the application. We upheld the complaint. The Council were at fault and the decision notice did not reflect the Committee’s decision. Part of the officer’s recommendation was not addressed by Committee and both the Committee and Officers failed to follow relevant guidance. The Council’s decision making was unclear as a result. However, we found, on balance, the outcome was unlikely to be different. We did not reach a view on other issues the group raised about the case officers report and actions as they did not lead to injustice. The Council agreed to review its practices as a result of the complaint.

Elmbridge Borough Council (19 013 834)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the process leading to the Council’s decisions to refuse his planning applications. The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint as he has used his right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the Council’s decisions.

London Borough of Sutton (19 015 558)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council is discriminating against him by refusing to allow him to install a dropped kerb outside his home. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint as we have not seen any evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.

Stroud District Council (19 015 958)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with a planning application for a residential development in his village. There is not enough evidence of Council fault to warrant an Ombudsman investigation. Even if there has been fault, the Ombudsman should not investigate because the development will not cause Mr X a significant personal injustice, and he cannot achieve the outcome Mr X wants.

Stroud District Council (19 015 960)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with a planning application for a residential development in her village. There is not enough evidence of Council fault to warrant an Ombudsman investigation. The Ombudsman should also not investigate because the development will not cause Mrs X a significant personal injustice. Mrs X wants the Council to re-run the planning decision-making process, which is an outcome the Ombudsman cannot achieve.

Newark & Sherwood District Council (19 014 624)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 12-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complains about the way the Council handled a planning application on appeal to the Planning Inspector. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because any injustice is speculative and Mrs X had the opportunity to put her objections to the Planning Inspector notwithstanding the Council’s actions.

Bristol City Council (19 000 400)

Statement Not upheld Other 06-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs Y complains on behalf of a local community group about the Council’s actions in relation to the fencing of local playing fields. Mrs Y says that officers acted without transparency and neutrality and have allowed the leaseholder to unlawfully fence the site and damage protected trees. The Ombudsman cannot question the merits of the Council’s decision where there is no evidence of procedural fault.

North Hertfordshire District Council (19 015 913)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 05-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council gave misleading advice about the planning status of his property which restricted its sale. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the injustice is speculative and not the result of the Council’s actions.

Stroud District Council (19 015 632)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about a planning application for a large residential development. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the planning application has not yet been determined and so the injustice is speculative.

Vale of White Horse District Council (19 014 447)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 28-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s consideration of a legal agreement as part of a planning application for a development of housing. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is a right of appeal to a Planning Inspector.