Wirral councillors ordered back to ‘planning school’ after houses were built too close to a man’s home

Jun 9 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

COUNCILLORS must go on a course outlining the basics of planning law after a developer was allowed to build a new estate too close to a man’s home.

Wirral council’s planning committee was officially criticised following an inquiry into the way an application was handled.

Beechwood resident Joe Gladman was left struggling to maintain his privacy because a new housing development was too close to his home, which then plummeted in price.

The properties should have been built at least 21 metres away, but were found to be only 18. The Local Government Ombudsman found the council guilty of maladministration and ordered it pay compensation to Mr Gladman.

A chartered surveyor estimated the loss in value at £20,000, but a district valuer’s report done for the council put the fall at £5,000, which has been paid to Mr Gladman.

Committee members must also attend a day-long refresher workshop in the basics of planning and development control.

Last night, Mr Gladman said he was disappointed at the difference between valuations, but added: “It was not about the money, it was the principle and the way I have been treated.”

The LGO investigator’s report said there was “maladministra-tion causing the complainant an injustice” and asked the council to settle with the complainant.