Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns about South Lanarkshire Council (the Council)'s handling of his enquiries regarding outline planning permission for construction of a one bedroom single storey dwelling on his land adjacent to his home. Mr C also complained that the Council had failed to correctly process a planning application by a neighbour (Mr N), to Mr C's detriment.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Council:
- (a) gave Mr C incorrect or misleading advice regarding his initial enquiries about an application for outline planning permission to build a one bedroom single storey dwelling adjacent to his property (not upheld);
- (b) gave incorrect status to Mr N's planning application, to Mr C's detriment (not upheld);
- (c) failed to deal with Mr C's initial planning enquiries within the correct timescales (partially upheld); and
- (d) failed to address the specific points in Mr C's letters and emails of complaint (partially upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) apologise to Mr C for failing to deal with his enquiry in accordance with Council guidance and provide feedback to the staff involved in this case on the timescales contained in the guidance; and
- (ii) apologise to Mr C for failing to adequately address all issues raised in his complaints.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.