LGO Individual Decisions

Summary: Mr X complained the Council introduced planning validation fees that had no legal basis. We found this was a matter for the courts but there was fault by the Council as it failed to show its action in not returning the full planning fee when rejecting invalid applications was consistent with the relevant regulations. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mr X, refund his fees and review its policy which we consider provides a suitable remedy.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about Planning enforcement. There is insufficient evidence of fault.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council allowed the complainant to keep bidding for properties after it had made a provisional housing offer. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainant’s planning application. This is because the complainant had the right to appeal to the Planning Inspector. The complainant has not suffered any significant injustice in relation to the remaining issues complained about.

Summary: X complained about the Council’s decision to approve a planning application on land near X’s home. We did not investigate the complaint further, because we were unlikely to find fault, recommend a remedy or reach any other meaningful outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about two Penalty Charge Notices. This is because the complainant could have followed the statutory process and because the Council has proposed a fair way forward.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a retrospective planning application. This is because it is unlikely an investigation would add to the Council’s response and the complainant has not suffered any significant injustice.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s processing and decision to approve a planning application for the complainant’s neighbour. I consider it is unlikely that further investigation will lead to a different outcome.

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s handling of planning matters relating to the business use of a site close to her home. We will not investigate the complaint because an investigation is unlikely to add to that already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.

Summary: Mr B complains the Council has not ensured community facilities and open spaces are properly provided on a newly built housing estate. He says this means residents are living on the estate without promised facilities and with the likelihood of high maintenance costs for the open spaces. The Ombudsman does not find fault in how the Council has managed the community centre. However, we find fault in how the Council considered Mr B’s concerns about the open spaces.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not taking planning enforcement action about a planning breach Mr B reported. This is because the alleged fault has not caused Mr B a significant injustice.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not refunding him or providing a service credit for the commercial waste service he contracts from the Council.