Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns about East Ayrshire Council (the Council)'s handling of various planning applications submitted for the erection of a housing development on a site adjacent to his property.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the Council showed favouritism to the developer throughout their consideration of the various planning applications submitted by the developer (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) take steps to ensure that the administrative errors which had been identified prior to my involvement in relation to the Council's planning files are addressed to ensure that they do not arise in the future; and
- (ii) revisit their Scheme of Planning Application Delegation (the mechanism which allows Council Officers discretion to determine applications) to see whether there is a need, in cases such as this, for a referral to committee.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.