Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised concern about the handling by Aberdeenshire Council (the Council) of a prior notification by the owners (Mr and Mrs D) of an adjacent field in respect of the development of an agricultural building.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the Council failed properly to handle Mr and Mrs D's agricultural prior notification submission, representations made by Mr C and his agent, and Mr C's formal complaint (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) review the circumstances of this complaint with a view to issuing instructions to case officers to enable them to expedite agricultural prior notifications and to deal with representations made by neighbours on proposals where permitted development rights are sought;
- (ii) review the content of their website on communication with those making representations on planning applications generally and the particular circumstances pertaining in respect of agricultural prior notification; and
- (iii) review their handling of this particular complaint with a view to preventing a recurrence of their poor complaint handling.