Ombudsman issues special report on common faults of councils over planning

The Local Government Ombudsman has published a special report setting out common areas where fault is found with councils in relation to planning and development.

Publication of the report comes after the Ombudsman investigated 1,631 complaints about planning in 2013/14. The LGO also saw a 14% rise in complaints about enforcement action over the period.

The Ombudsman identified the common areas of fault as including:

• checking the validity of applications;
• advertising applications;
• considering objections;
• explaining reasons for decisions; and
• planning enforcement.

The Ombudsman’s report outlines good practice and ways in which local authorities can improve transparency in their decision-making.

Information is also provided on how councillors can support people in their ward to bring a complaint to the LGO, as well as assist in their role of scrutinising council practice.

Case studies include an officer’s report to the planning committee that failed to mention the impact on nearby residents of the development or the years of complaints about the site. Another incident saw a council carry out work without applying for planning.

The LGO noted that the majority of the complaints it received about planning were from people who objected to a council’s decision to grant planning permission.

Dr Jane Martin, Local Government Ombudsman, said: “Planning is an important local issue and the LGO is the only independent route of redress for people who have been adversely affected by a local decision. This report will help people to understand more about our role in providing a remedy when things have gone wrong.

“We investigate whether the council has followed the proper procedures in approving planning decisions and in enforcing planning conditions.”

She added: “Councillors will want to ensure their local planning services are as effective and transparent as they can be, and our report suggests best practice and poses a number of questions they might want to ask.”

A copy of the LGO report will be uploaded shortly.