Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s handling of the possible purchase of his home related to the development of a neighbouring site.

Finding

The Ombudsman upheld the complaint and found fault casuing injustice.

Recommendations

To remedy the injustice caused the Council should:

• apologise to Mr X for the faults found and the injustice caused to him and pay him £1,000 for the stress and uncertainty; and
• reconsider the proposals for the development of the site. This should be considered by full Council or Cabinet and the report should provide an accurate description of the history of the matter and should refer to this report. It should consider all the possible options for the site including the inclusion of the terrace of houses in the scheme. If the decision is to proceed with the development including the terrace of houses the Council should provide a remedy to the tenants who were wrongly assured that they would be able to stay in the properties. If a remedy cannot be agreed they can make a complaint to us.

Ombudsman satisfied with Council's response: 26 May 2022.

Print this page