AN Ombudsman has advised people to research local planning approvals before they purchase a property.

The Local Government Ombudsman, who oversees Council decision making, has recently released their decision on a planning complaint in Bradford.

It says the complainant, only referred to as Mr X, had complained that Bradford Council had failed to provide him with details of planning permission that had been granted to a property next to a property he was about to buy.

Mr X said that if he had known about the plans, to develop an area of land next to the site he went on to buy, he might not have gone ahead with the purchase. He also claimed it could impact the future saleability of his property, and wanted the Council to plant mature trees on his land as a way of screening his property from the development.

However, the ombudsman has refused to investigate the complaint, saying they were unlikely to find fault in Bradford Council's actions.

He said: "The Council granted planning permission for the development and the non-material amendment before Mr X purchased his property.

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"Its decisions did not affect him at the time they were made and only affect him now as a result of his decision to purchase the property.

"We would expect any prudent purchaser to make themselves aware of any grants of planning permission, including non-material amendments, before deciding whether to proceed with their purchase.

"The description in this case is accurate, but if Mr X felt it was not detailed enough it was for him to consider the plans on the Council’s website.

"These clearly show the development approved, and if Mr X felt it was unacceptable he may have decided not to continue.

"That he did was his decision and this is the cause of the injustice he now claims."