Compensation trebled in planning row

The complaint was made about an unauthorised building at Gweek

A council in Cornwall has been told to treble the amount of compensation to be paid to a couple who made a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman about a planning decision.

Kerrier District Council had originally agreed to pay £500.

But the Ombudsman is recommending the council should pay them £1,500.

Councillors will consider the recommendation at a meeting on Tuesday.

Light affected

A complaint was first made to Kerrier council four years ago about an unauthorised building at Gweek Quay.

A couple living nearby, Mr and Mrs Rowan, complained about the building which they said affected the light in their garden.

The Ombudsman ruled Kerrier failed to take appropriate action to control the development and resolve the situation.

He ruled in favour of the complainants, saying they had suffered injustice and told the council to pay them compensation.

Kerrier offered the couple £500 but the Ombudsman has now said that is not enough.