Has anyone had encountered a situation in which a Building Control Inspector approves the start of a building, which is at variance with the approved Planning Application? In my case, I did not object to my neighbour building an extension to his house as the plan showed a passageway between my boundary and his external wall. However, he has now reduced the passageway to a 300mm gap and dug a foundation trench not in accordance with the plan.
Here in Liverpool, the City Council building control department do not appear to talk to the Planning Department. The foundation trench has been approved by a building inspector, even though it does not conform to the approved plan. When asked about this, the building department say that they only look at the structural requirements and not the approved plan. On the other hand the Planning department say that the structural specification is not in their brief. Both departments seem to be washing their hands of the problem and trying to blame the other for the error. So the question is, is it normal for a Building Control Inspector to ignore the approved plan? What can be done to rectify the situation?
Is this cause for complaint against the Building Control Department and/or something I could take to the Local Government Ombudsman?
Here in Liverpool, the City Council building control department do not appear to talk to the Planning Department. The foundation trench has been approved by a building inspector, even though it does not conform to the approved plan. When asked about this, the building department say that they only look at the structural requirements and not the approved plan. On the other hand the Planning department say that the structural specification is not in their brief. Both departments seem to be washing their hands of the problem and trying to blame the other for the error. So the question is, is it normal for a Building Control Inspector to ignore the approved plan? What can be done to rectify the situation?
Is this cause for complaint against the Building Control Department and/or something I could take to the Local Government Ombudsman?