Planning lessons

Lessons will be learned from planning mistakes made by Stratford-on-Avon District Council. That is the promise from Cllr Stuart Beese, the council's planning portfolio holder, after an ombudsman ruling against the council found maladministration.

Following a complaint by two residents whose property had been affected by a neighbour's extension, the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) investigated the case and subsequently found the council's maladministration had caused injustice. The LGO has recommended the council enter into negotiations with the affected neighbours or pays compensation if that is unsuccessful.

"The council acknowledges that an error was made and accepts the Ombudsman findings," said Cllr Stuart Beese.

"I want to stress that the decision to allow the alterations which have led to this case was not made by a committee, and the council would like to apologise for the stress and inconvenience this matter has caused to the affected parties.

"Mistakes of this sort are extremely rare and I am now looking into the background of what happened in this particular case to see where our procedures need tightening up."

The details of the ombudsman ruling have been released separately by the LGO. For further details please contact Rob Rundle, LGO Publicity & Information Assistant on 020 7217 4686.

The Ombudsman's report can be viewed by clicking on the link on the right.