Norfolk council rapped over planning error

A Norfolk district council erred over the way it handled a planning application for a new house, the Local Government Ombudsman has reported.

A resident complained about the way the council granted permission for a new dwelling next to his house. Planning staff failed to pick up on inaccuracies in the plans which meant that the dwelling extended four metres further beyond the back of his house than should have been the case.

The watchdog found maladministration causing injustice and recommended that King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council arrange for the District Valuer to assess the value of the complainant's home as it is and as it would have been had the fault not occurred and pay any loss in value.

The Ombudsman also said the council should pay the complainant £250 for his time and trouble pursuing the complaint.

In addition the council has been recommended to review its training and supervision arrangements for unqualified planning assistants charged with carrying out site visits on planning applications.

Read the Local Government Ombudsman report

Roger Milne

5 June 2008