Northumberland County Council (21 005 873)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 25-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs R has complained to the County Council in relation to a breach of planning conditions. Further, Mrs R is not satisfied with the way the original planning application was determined by the County Council. However, we consider Mrs R is complaining on behalf of her Parish Council and its elected Councillors. We have no jurisdiction to investigate in these circumstances. Mrs R can complain to the County Council in her own right and with reference to any injustice she has suffered. However, we do not consider that Mrs R has done this and the complaint to the Ombudsman is therefore premature. We have therefore discontinued our investigation.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (21 017 717)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 25-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a planning application. This is because the complainant has not suffered significant injustice as a result of the alleged fault.

Hyndburn Borough Council (21 017 781)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Enforcement 25-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about the Council’s response to a breach of planning control. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

Buckinghamshire Council (21 018 196)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Planning applications 25-Mar-2022

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to declare the complainant’s property a non-designated heritage asset. This is because the matter has been subject to court proceedings. The complainant has also appealed to the Planning Inspector.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 001 280)

Statement Upheld Planning applications 25-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr B complained the Council delayed investigating his concern his neighbour was using his garden as a builder’s yard and did not take enforcement action. He also complained the Council delayed responding to his complaints and its investigation was not impartial. This caused him frustration. The Council was at fault for delays investigating Mr B’s planning concern and responding to his complaint. The Council will apologise to Mr B and make a financial payment to remedy the injustice caused by the delays.

Rother District Council (21 001 443)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 25-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complains about delay by the Council in taking enforcement action against unauthorised development at a neighbouring property. There was unreasonable delay by the Council. However, the complaint was closed because Mr X did not suffer significant injustice in consequence of the fault.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 812)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 24-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr and Mrs B complain about the Council’s consideration of a planning application for an extension to their neighbour's property. They say they suffer from a loss of light and outlook and the building work has encroached on their property and caused damage. We have found no fault in the Council’s consideration of the application and the remaining issues are civil matters between neighbours.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 008 035)

Statement Not upheld Planning applications 24-Mar-2022

Summary: There is no evidence of fault in the Council’s actions when consulting on a draft masterplan or planning application. The Council considered the planning application and has investigated complaints about construction noise and dust without fault.

Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council (21 008 057)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Building control 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainant’s concerns about her neighbour’s extension. This is because we are unlikely to find fault.

Bristol City Council (21 010 585)

Statement Upheld Enforcement 24-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council was taking too long to investigate complaints about unlawful houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in its area. We found fault because there was unreasonable delay in enforcement investigations. The Council has agreed to a remedy, to resolve the injustice caused by the fault we found.