Charnwood Borough Council (19 013 091)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: There was no fault by the Council in a complaint about its decision not to take enforcement action against a breach of a noise condition.

London Borough of Southwark (19 017 046)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: The complainant says the Council failed to consider the impact on his home of a boundary garden wall shown in his neighbour’s planning application leaving him with an overbearing structure and sense of enclosure. The Council says it made an error. However, having reviewed the decision it believes the decision is sound and it has made at least one other similar decision. We find the Council at fault but that this did not affect the final decision. However, it did result in inconvenience to the complainant and a loss of confidence in the Council’s planning decision procedure.

Canterbury City Council (20 004 724)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: The Council was at fault for delays in considering a planning application which Mr B says caused him financial loss in the form of a new levy. However, the Council has confirmed an exemption was granted for Mr B’s development meaning the levy is not payable. The Ombudsman has therefore completed the investigation with a finding of fault, but which has not caused injustice to Mr B.

Sheffield City Council (20 004 745)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her neighbour’s planning applications. The Council did not grant planning permission for the neighbour’s extension and I have seen no evidence of fault in its handling of their application to vary the approved plans.

West Oxfordshire District Council (20 005 177)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to change the building to residential use. We ended our investigation as it was unlikely to result in a finding of significant fault or injustice.

London Borough of Camden (20 005 246)

Statement Upheld Building control 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to use its building control powers to protect her amenity. Ms X also complained about the Council’s refusal to investigate her complaint. There was no evidence of fault in the way the Council made its building control decisions, but there was fault in the way it handled her complaint. The Council has agreed to remedy the fault I have found.

Norfolk County Council (20 010 753)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Mar-2021

Summary: The complainant says the Council’s Silica Sand Acquisition Procedures are not compliant with lawful requirements. And the Council has failed to decide on applications to modify the definitive map. We will not investigate this complaint as the Council is reviewing the Local Plan which includes the Silica Sand Acquisition Procedures, and it is reasonable for Mr B to follow that process. And he can ask the Secretary of State to instruct the Council to decide on the definitive map modification applications.

Trafford Council (20 010 995)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s handling of her neighbour’s planning application and its decision to grant permission. We will not investigate the complaint because there is no evidence to suggest there has been fault by the Council.

Teignbridge District Council (20 011 009)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision not to take enforcement action against his neighbour for erecting a 1.8 metre fence on the boundary with his property. We should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 011 838)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 15-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council granted planning permission for a neighbour’s extension too close to his house. We will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.