Overview
The complainant, referred to as Mr C, raised a number of concerns regarding planning and enforcement issues with The City of Edinburgh Council (the Council). He remained dissatisfied with the Council's final response to his complaints and asked the Ombudsman to investigate.
Specific complain and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) Mr C's neighbour received planning permission to erect a sun room which breached planning guidelines (not upheld);
- (b) the Council advised Mr C that Permitted Development Rights (PDR) had been withdrawn, when in fact this was not the case (not upheld); and
- (c) the Council advised Mr C that the fence at the rear of his property required planning permission, only to advise him later that the fence did not require planning permission (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) make a full formal written apology to Mr C for providing conflicting and confusing information in relation to the fence at the rear of his property; and
- (ii) consider ways of ensuring that relevant staff seek advice when complicated and sensitive situations arise.