Council criticised over planning
Thanet District Council has been accused of maladministration over its planning decision procedures.
In a report from the Local Government Ombudsman, the council has been told to ensure that its reasons for such decisions are properly recorded.
Tony Redmond recommended that the council paid two complainants £250 each for "their time and trouble".
Both women had complained to him about the decision to grant planning permission for a chalet bungalow.
Swimming pool
They had said it was agreed contrary to the council's own policies and against the recommendation of officers.
One of the women also said her interests had not been properly taken into account with regard to a swimming pool extension.
On investigation, Mr Redmond found that the decision to grant planning permission was not in itself maladministration, but the council's failure to record a reason for the decision was.
The Ombudsman said he had found no injustice caused by the way the application for the swimming pool was handled.
In a statement, Thanet District Council said the recommendation that it pay compensation to the complainants would be considered at a cabinet meeting on 5 August.
Chief executive Richard Samuel said: "Thanet Council regrets this incident and is committed to ensuring that local people are fully involved in the planning process and understand why planning decisions are taken.
"As a result, the council has already put in place a system which ensures that if members of the planning committee make a decision against the recommendation of officers, reasons are given for that decision."
Source: The BBC (06/07/2004)
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