Decision Report 202008175

Summary

C complained that the council failed to obtain planning permission for the extension of a playpark. C said the development of the expanded playpark area required planning permission as it was a material change and was also a bad neighbour development.

We found that the council did not misinterpret law or policy and had proper regard for material considerations. Their decision not to take enforcement action in relation to a slide that required planning permission was also legitimate and took account of material considerations. Therefore, we did not uphold C's complaint.

However, we considered that it would have been helpful if the council's planning services had been involved at an earlier stage in the process and not only at the point that residents started raising concerns. This may have helped to identify issues in relation to the height of the slide at an earlier stage. We provided feedback to the council about this.