How do I file a complaint against a planning officer?
In some cases, you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman about how a local planning authority handled a planning application. If you are the planning applicant, the Ombudsman will not usually look at your complaint because you have a right of appeal to the Secretary of State, through the Planning Inspectorate.
How do I complain about a planning violation?
To report a planning breach in your area, you should write to the council’s planning office and include:
- address of the land or property where breach happened.
- development activity or action breaching planning control.
- date and time when activity happened or began.
- problems caused by the breach.
Can you complain after planning permission?
If you have concerns over the process the local planning authority followed to make its decision, you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. However, the Ombudsman cannot investigate a complaint just because you do not agree with the decision.
What is a planning enforcement complaint?
4. Action following a planning breach complaint. “Effective enforcement is important as a means of maintaining public confidence in the planning system. Enforcement action is discretionary, and local planning authorities should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control.
What is the 10 year rule in planning?
‘THE 10 YEAR RULE’ applies to a Change of Use to land and buildings which must have existed in excess of 10 years before it can be protected from enforcement action. Therefore you may have a perfectly adequate building but no lawful use for it.
Can a planning permission be revoked?
If you have the benefit of a planning permission and the council wishes to revoke its decision, it cannot simply remake a decision. It is established case law that local planning authorities cannot withdraw and re- issue decision notices to correct errors following an administrative mistake.
How to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman?
Summary of the key steps to making a complaint: 1. First complain to the organisation involved. You must give them a chance to put things right before complaining to us. You should go through all stages of their complaints procedure.
Is the planning Ombudsman involved in enforcement action?
This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who believe the council should be taking enforcement action against a nearby development and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I think there has been a breach of planning control near my property and the council has not taken enforcement action.
When to complain about a breach of planning control?
We usually investigate complaints where the evidence suggests there has been a significant breach of planning control that directly affects you and where your complaint is about the way the council has dealt with, or failed to deal with, the matter.
How long does it take to complain to a council?
Councils often have more than one stage in their complaints procedure and you will usually have to complete all stages before we will look at your complaint. Then, if you are unhappy with the outcome, or the council is taking too long to look into the matter – we think 12 weeks is reasonable – you can complain to us.
