Over the years we have lived here, we have had a string of complaints
made against us to the council which have resulted in visits
concerning alleged breaches of planning law etc.
Examples of the kinds of thing complained of were that we removed our
front lawn (in fact we merged two lawns into one and moved the drive
to the side), that we increased the amount of hard standing (we
didn't) that we were running a business from how and entertaining
sales representatives (this was actually my wife playing bridge with
some friends who had cars in the drive).
We have had two visits from the council in the past year on similar
missions which again came to nothing. We were pretty sure who was
behind it all and a detail of one of the allegations yesterday made us
completely sure.
However the council refuses to tell us who is complaining or exactly
what the allegations were. Is this fair? I thought it was a human
right to be informed of your accuser and the nature of the
allegations?
I see our council, unlike other councils, doesn't have a policy on
vexatious, repeated or malicious complaints displayed on its website.
Is there anything we can do to get the council to divulge the names of
the complainers or to record the history - to be consulted before they
send someone out again?
I have complained to the Chief Planning Officer and will go on to the
LGO if I don't get anywhere but I don't have too much faith in all
that.
Thanks
John Collins |