51 findings available

Complaint about council’s handling of a planning application

We asked Mid and East Antrim Council to apologise to a man for failures in the way it dealt with a planning application.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Complaint about council’s decision to approve planning application

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council failed to fully record the reasons why it approved a planning application for a domestic garage.  However, we found it would not have reached a different decision had the failings not occurred.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Council failed to give reasons for not taking enforcement action

A man claimed Belfast City Council should have asked his neighbour to remove a structure on his driveway.

Although the Council was not required to take action, we found it should have explained to the man why.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Complaint against the Department for Communities

An architect complained that he was unfairly removed from a project to restore a historic monument.

Case Summary

Strengthening our roots: an overview report on tree protection in the planning system

This report was prepared in response to concerns about the protection given to trees and the lack of enforcement action following reported breaches of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).

Own Initiative Investigation

Council failed to properly consider report into conduct of Chief Executive

We found failures in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s decision to take no action over an independent report which was critical of its senior staff.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Council’s procurement errors led to trader overpaying for rental site

We asked Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to refund thousands of pounds to a woman after we found it mismanaged an online procurement.

Investigation Report
Upheld

Investigation of a complaint against the Department of Health

We investigated a complaint from a member of the public who believed she was treated unfairly by the Department of Health.

Investigation Report
Upheld

PIP and the value of further evidence - follow up report

In June 2021 the Ombudsman found that repeated failings by the Department for Communities in how it handled further evidence amounted to ‘systemic maladministration’. Ombudsman Margaret Kelly made 33 recommendations on how the system could be improved.

This follow-up report shows that out of the 33 recommendations made, 10 have been fully met, 18 partly met, and 5 not met. 

Own Initiative Investigation

Council accused of lack of enforcement action over garden cabin

We investigated a complaint that Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council should have enforced planning rules over a garden cabin.

Investigation Report

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