Medway Council (25 015 814)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 09-Jan-2026

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

Wychavon District Council (24 023 238)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 09-Jan-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to take suitable enforcement action to ensure a developer implemented landscaping in accordance with approved plans. There was no fault in the Council’s decision-making. The Council was at fault for delay and some poor communication. However, its earlier apology to Mr X is sufficient remedy for the injustice.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (25 011 854)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 08-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of planning enforcement and building control matters related to extensions constructed by the complainant’s neighbour. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that fault by the Council has affected the outcome.

Mole Valley District Council (25 015 016)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 07-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a breach of planning control. This is because the complainant had the right to appeal to the Planning Inspector.

Sheffield City Council (25 001 755)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 07-Jan-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to properly investigate or take appropriate enforcement action in relation to breaches of planning permission at a neighbouring property. Mr X also complains the Council has wrongly approved a retrospective planning application and included a planning condition that does not secure its objective. We found the errors and delays in considering and responding to Mr X’s concerns about breaches of planning control are fault. As is the failure to specify the level of obscurity to be retained in the planning condition. These faults have caused Mr X distress and uncertainty. The Council will apologise and make a payment to Mr X.

Southend-on-Sea City Council (25 011 709)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 06-Jan-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about planning enforcement. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant investigation by us.

Leicester City Council (25 022 097)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 06-Jan-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate Dr B’s complaint about a planning enforcement notice. This is because Dr B put in an appeal to the Planning Inspector.

Rother District Council (25 000 401)

Statement Not upheld Enforcement 06-Jan-2026

Summary: Mrs X complains the Council has not properly considered taking enforcement action against breaches of planning permission. The Council is not at fault.

Broadland District Council (25 001 111)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 05-Jan-2026

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to take enforcement action regarding alleged breaches of planning conditions in respect of landscaping and tree planting as part of a nearby building development. Mrs X says the Council’s lack of enforcement action caused her significant avoidable frustration and stress. We found fault by the Council. The Council has agreed to provide an apology and financial remedy to Mrs X and take steps to prevent a recurrence of the identified fault.

Liverpool City Council (24 011 399)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 23-Dec-2025

Summary: The complaint is on behalf of a residents’ group and about the Council planning team’s inaction over a breach of planning control. The Ombudsman finds the Council was not at fault for its decisions around how to deal with the breach it found. But there was fault by way of delay, not providing updates and not keeping records of key actions. This will have caused the residents some frustration and uncertainty. Delayed complaint responses led to avoidable time and trouble. The Council has agreed to apologise, provide an update and make a symbolic payment for the avoidable time and trouble.