Overview
The complainant, Mr C, raised a number of concerns about the way in which Argyll and Bute Council (the Council) handled two applications for outline planning permission.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Council raised numerous obstacles delaying the progress of the applications. In particular, Mr C claimed that the subject of road access was only mentioned seven months after the submission of the first application (not upheld);
- (b) the Council reneged on an agreement reached in September 2006 that, if the access road was included in the application, they would validate it and recommend it for approval (not upheld);
- (c) the Council failed to advise of a change of policy (Policy ENV14) and the likely effects of that on Mr C's application (not upheld);
- (d) Policy ENV14 is insufficiently specific, leaving it open to differing interpretations (not upheld); and
- (e) Council officers applied Policy ENV14 inconsistently in different Council areas (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman has no recommendations to make.