Erewash Borough Council (24 017 230)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 29-Jul-2025

Summary: X complained about the Council’s retrospective planning application relating to a hot food takeaway café near their home and an enforcement investigation about an illuminated sign and subdivision of a building. We found no fault in the way the Council made its decision on the retrospective planning application and decided not to investigate earlier or ongoing enforcement matters because they were unlikely to achieve a different or meaningful outcome.

Herefordshire Council (24 017 381)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 29-Jul-2025

Summary: X complained about the way the Council dealt with planning application and planning enforcement issues relating to their neighbour’s land. X believes that, because of the Council’s decisions, the land may now be used for commercial purposes without proper planning controls, and that this might affect their home, which is a listed building. We found fault and the Council agreed to our recommendations to deal with the injustice it caused and avoid recurrence of the same fault in future.

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (24 019 049)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 29-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council breached its local plan policies when it considered and granted planning permission for his neighbour’s development. Mr X said as a result, the development has significantly reduced his property amenity and lessened its value. There was no fault by the Council in how it considered and made its decision to grant planning permission for Mr X’s neighbour’s development.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council (24 019 188)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 29-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about how the Council handled several planning applications submitted by his neighbour and the delay in its handling of his complaint. We find no fault in how the Council assessed or determined the planning applications, nor in its consideration of the objections raised by Mr X. However, we do find fault in the Council’s complaint handling which caused avoidable uncertainty and distress. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X.

Dorset Council (25 001 842)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council is considering a planning application. Or about the Council withholding information. We do not consider the complainants have suffered a significant personal injustice as the Council has not decided the planning application. And they have already complained to the Information Commissioner about access to information.

Tamworth Borough Council (25 001 993)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about planning permission and enforcement of planning permission as the matter is out of time and there is insufficient injustice to warrant investigation.

London Borough of Hillingdon (25 002 291)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning advice 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s planning applications. This is because the alleged fault is not significant enough to warrant investigation and there is no basis for us to recommend the Council refunds Mr X’s application fees. If Mr X was unhappy with the length of time taken to deal with his planning applications it would have been reasonable for him to appeal.

Leeds City Council (25 002 577)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to pursue enforcement action and the time it took to investigate. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or to show its actions caused Mr X significant injustice. We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to ensure planning controls were met between 2015 and 2022. This complaint is late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion.

Cheshire East Council (25 004 342)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 29-Jul-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council considers the impact on air quality when deciding planning applications. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

Rother District Council (24 015 328)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 28-Jul-2025

Summary: Mr X complained the Council did not follow due process to investigate alleged planning breaches at a neighbouring residential site. He says the Council failed to take appropriate enforcement action. Mr X says the Council’s actions negatively impacted his family’s mental health and caused avoidable stress. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X and has agreed to make service improvements.