Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised concerns in respect of his neighbour's application to East Dunbartonshire Council (the Council) to construct an extension at the gable of his house.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Council:
- (a) failed to have regard to their Local Plan guidance on privacy and intervisibility of windows in granting planning consent to the application (partially upheld);
- (b) failed to take enforcement action to ensure that an upstairs en-suite bathroom window was provided with obscure glazing (partially upheld); and
- (c) delayed unduly in responding to Mr C's concerns (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) apologise to Mr C for their shortcomings; and
- (ii) explore with Mr C and his neighbour the introduction of screening to preserve Mr C's privacy from overlooking from his neighbour's downstairs windows.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly. They have indicated with regard to (ii) that if that outcome can be achieved, the Council's Planning Service would, in the interests of customer relations, bear such reasonable costs as might arise.