Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns on behalf of his adult daughter (Ms C) relating to the handling by North Ayrshire Council (the Council) of a building warrant application in respect of the conversion of a former hotel into two flats. Following Ms C's purchase of one of the flats, substantial work had been required to eradicate rot and, although a certificate of completion had been issued, a number of matters remained outstanding.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints from Mr C that have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Council mishandled the application for building warrant for the conversion of the former hotel into two flats (not upheld);
- (b) the Council issued a certificate of completion in respect of that warrant before works were completed (not upheld);
- (c) the Council failed to deal in a timely manner with non compliance by the builder with the approved access dimensions in the planning consent (partially upheld); and
- (d) in terms of the listed building consent, the Council allowed new windows to be installed that failed to comply with Historic Scotland's stipulation of like for like replacement (not upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman recommended that the Council apologise to Mr C for their failings in respect of (c). The Council accepted the recommendation.