North Yorkshire Council (25 000 949)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 27-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for his neighbour’s fence. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (25 004 040)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 27-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council allowing a wedding venue to operate from a building in the complainant’s local area. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the way the Council reached its decision.

Blackpool Borough Council (25 004 301)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 27-Jan-2026

Summary: Mrs F complained about the Council’s handling of planning control concerns about a property she owns. She said it wrongly threatened with enforcement action which led to her having building costs and financial losses. We found fault by the Council for its flawed assumptions about the permitted use of the property. The Council agreed to make a symbolic payment to acknowledge the unnecessary distress and uncertainty this caused her. However, we cannot say the Council caused her financial detriment as such matters are for the courts to decide.

Mole Valley District Council (25 006 268)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 27-Jan-2026

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council incorrectly issued a Certificate of Lawfulness for his neighbour’s loft conversion. Mr X said this caused him and his partner significant stress and devalued their property. The Council is at fault for issuing the Certificate of Lawfulness. However, this did not cause any injustice to Mr X.

London Borough of Southwark (25 014 406)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 27-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a Community Infrastructure Levy and its complaint handling. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the matter was reviewed and any injustice caused by earlier fault is not significant. Nor could we add to any previous investigation by the organisation as it has apologised and taken steps to prevent a recurrence of the fault.

Leicester City Council (24 012 599)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 26-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action against a breach of planning control. We have considered this matter in 2023 and will not consider it again. Mr X also complains about a breach of building regulations and failure to protect his family from racial abuse. We have not seen enough evidence of fault on the building regulations matter. And Mr X can report racial abuse to the police. Finally, we cannot require the Council to demolish the neighbour’s outbuilding.

Northumberland County Council (24 013 443)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 26-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action against a breach of planning control. The Council has issued an Enforcement Notice. It will consider further action if the Notice is not complied with. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Merton (24 020 062)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 26-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council dealt with a breach of planning control. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.

South Downs National Park Authority (24 020 444)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 23-Jan-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Authority’s failure to take prompt enforcement action about a change of use at her neighbour’s property, when her own similar development was treated differently. Based on current evidence, we found the Authority be at fault because it took too long to take any initial action. This caused Mrs X avoidable frustration. To remedy this injustice, the Authority has agreed to apologise and take action to improve its customer service. We did not find fault with the Authority’s response to the neighbouring development or find evidence of inconsistent decision making.

Buckinghamshire Council (25 013 317)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 23-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a breach of planning control. This is because we are unlikely to find fault.