Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns regarding the handling by The City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) of an application (the Application) for planning consent made by his neighbour (Mr N) for alteration to and extension of his property.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Council:
- (a) failed to ensure that Mr N complied with the requisite notification of his proposals (partially upheld);
- (b) failed to take action on a neighbour notification received by Mr C on 16March2006 which was clearly invalid (partially upheld);
- (c) failed to respond to Mr C's request of 25 April 2006 for information on when the Application would be considered and if he could address the Development Quality Sub-Committee (upheld); and
- (d) compiled a report on the Application without a site visit by a planning officer and which contained errors of fact and incorrect interpretation of their own policies (not upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman recommended that the Council apologise to Mr C for their identified failings.
The Council have accepted the recommendation and will act on it accordingly.