Kettering Borough Council (19 016 070)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 20-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X and Mrs Y’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to provide information relating to previous planning applications at their property without charge. They have made a ‘freedom of information’ request and if they are not happy with the Council’s handling of the request it would be reasonable for them to take the matter to the Information Commissioner. We cannot investigate their concerns about the Council’s handling of their planning application as they have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

Suffolk Coastal District Council (18 018 184)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 20-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X says the Council is at fault in its handling of planning matters for a site where he lives. The Ombudsman has found fault causing Mr X injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X. On the balance of probabilities, the Ombudsman does not consider the fault would have altered the outcome of the planning application complained about.

London Borough of Camden (19 008 477)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 19-Feb-2020

Summary: The Council was not at fault in the way in which it investigated Ms Y’s reports of a breach of planning controls in relation to her neighbours’ outbuilding. Nor was it significantly at fault in the way in which it responded to her complaints about its decision that there was no breach.

North Somerset Council (19 016 392)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 19-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of several planning applications between 2015 and 2018. This is because the complaint is late.

Swale Borough Council (19 008 313)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr B complains the Council has not dealt properly with a planning application for the change of use of a commercial property next to his home and alleged breach of licencing conditions. The Council was not at fault.

Worcester City Council (19 010 860)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains 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. The Council agreed to apologise and review its practices.

Warrington Council (19 006 566)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 18-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council’s consideration of a planning application for an extension at the property next to his home. There was fault in the Council’s analysis of the impact of the development on Mr B’s property but it did not alter the decision made. The Council will apologise to Mr B

Milton Keynes Council (19 016 471)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of planning and enforcement matters related to a new dwelling near the complainant’s home. This is because the complainant has not suffered a significant personal injustice as a direct result of the alleged fault by the Council.

Harrogate Borough Council (19 014 611)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about difficulties accessing objections to a planning application on the Council’s website, and about the Council’s response to unauthorised works to protected trees. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s handling of the premature tree works, and the complainant has not suffered a significant injustice as a result of the problems she encountered with the Council’s website.

Maidstone Borough Council (19 015 815)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 18-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the pre-application advice the Council gave the complainant. This is because it is unlikely he would find fault or suggest a further remedy.