South Oxfordshire District Council (20 003 794)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 20-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to take action after a neighbour erected a fence on a bridleway. Mr X said the fence obstructed access to his property. The Council investigated and found a breach of planning control. However, after seeking information from the County Council’s Rights of Way Officer and the Fire Service, it used its professional judgement and decided not to take formal enforcement action.

Hertsmere Borough Council (20 001 523)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 19-Jan-2021

Summary: There is no evidence of fault by the Council. The Council investigated the complaint, confirmed windows were unauthorised and told Mrs X that it did not intend to take enforcement action as the ground floor windows were behind a boundary fence and so did not cause significant overlooking or loss of privacy.

Selby District Council (20 008 641)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 19-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about planning applications in 2015, 2017 and 2019 which he says were not considered or properly enforced. We should not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because it concerns matters which he was aware of outside the normal 12-month period for receiving complaints.

Rother District Council (19 004 111)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 18-Jan-2021

Summary: We found fault in how the Council dealt with Mr X’s reports of breaches on planning control on land near his home. The Council agreed to send Mr X an apology and £300 in recognition of the avoidable frustration and time and trouble he was caused by its fault. The Council also agreed to Council carry out enforcement investigations into Mr X’s outstanding concerns about unauthorised development on the land.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (20 008 401)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 18-Jan-2021

Summary: Ms X complains about the failure of the Council to take planning enforcement action regarding a listed building. We will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council causing significant personal injustice to Ms X. Part of the complaint is also out of time.

Dorset Council (20 002 060)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 14-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to take enforcement action against a person living in their motorhome in a field opposite his house. We have discontinued our investigation because the person has moved the motorhome and there is nothing to be gained by further investigation.

Isle of Wight Council (19 019 542)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 13-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s failure to ensure her neighbour’s driveway was built using material acceptable to its planning committee. We should not investigate further as it is unlikely to result in a meaningful outcome for Mrs X.

Selby District Council (20 002 884)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 08-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to approve a housing estate on land behind his home. We ended our investigation as we are unlikely to find fault or a significant injustice to Mr X.

North Somerset Council (20 008 162)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 22-Dec-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council refused to take enforcement action against a neighbour. We will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

South Somerset District Council (19 009 191)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 16-Dec-2020

Summary: Mrs D complains the Council failed to take enforcement action against a breach of planning control or to respond to her complaint. We have found the Council failed to consider whether to take enforcement action, but this did not cause a significant injustice to Mrs D. Its failure to respond to a complaint caused her time and trouble and distress. The Council has agreed to acknowledge this by making a payment to Mrs D.