EAST Hampshire District Council's planning department is to come under scrutiny from the Ombudsman following a complaint, lodged by an objector, over the handling of a controversial application to build a chalet bungalow on land to the rear of 83 and 85 Ackender Road, Alton.
Designed to meet the needs of former mayor Pat Cole, the proposal was given the go-ahead following strong local opposition and a bumpy ride through planning north, with the final decision made at the end of January by members of the environment services committee.
The complaint, by an Ackender Road resident, is said to revolve around a memo, sent by Mrs Cole to fellow councillors which some felt could be regarded as a lobbying letter. The letter caused some councillors to leave the chamber without voting on the final decision.
Mrs Cole has stressed that, in view of the fact that she was a district councillor, she had gone out of her way to ensure that everything was handled correctly throughout the application process, and had taken officer advice on the issuing of the memo.
According to head of legal services, Roger Tetsall, East Hampshire District Council has been asked to respond to the complaint with a history of the case, following which a decision will be made on whether or not to take it further.
Mr Tetsall explained that, while the Ombudsman has the power, if found guilty, to force a planning authority to compensate complainants for any injustice which might have taken place, it cannot reverse a planning decision. The building of Mrs Cole's house will therefore go ahead as agreed.