Overview
The complainants (Mr and Mrs C) raised a number of concerns about the handling by the Highland Council (the Council) of a planning application to build a new property next to their home.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Council failed to ensure that the new property was at least 2 metres from the plot boundary, as specified in the Design Brief (upheld);
- (b) the Council failed to ensure that the footprint of the house did not exceed 25 percent of the plot area, as specified in the Design Brief (not upheld); and
- (c) Mr and Mrs C are unhappy with the Council's response to their complaints about the height of the house (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council review the case to establish if there are any lessons that can be learned for future developments of this nature.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and have acted on them accordingly.