Overview
The complainants, Mr and Mrs C and Mr D, had objected to the siting of the new Uddingston Grammar School (the New School) when the planning applications were submitted . Following the decision by South Lanarkshire Council (the Council) to approve the applications, they remained concerned about the way the planning conditions were enforced and, in particular, about measures designed to minimise flooding.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) alternative sites for the New School were not properly considered (upheld);
- (b) the number and wording of planning conditions were inappropriate (upheld); and
- (c) the monitoring and approval of the conditions relating to flood prevention were not carried out properly (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) remind staff of the need to ensure evaluation tools are not only used but used appropriately;
- (ii) review their policy on standard conditions and consider providing guidance to planning officers about when these should and could be altered;
- (iii) review their policy on the appointment of consultants, in an effort to avoid situations where they and an applicant or developer are using the same advisers and, where this is not possible, ensure this is noted and managed; and
- (iv) apologise to Mr and Mrs C and Mr D for the failings identified in this report.