| Synopsis: |
A woman, Mrs D, and her son complained that the Environment Agency, Lancashire County Council and Rossendale Borough Council had failed to take appropriate action against a neighbor who was: tipping, burying and burning large quantities of waste illegally; blocking public footpaths; and, intimidating anyone trying to use them. The activities, carried out over a period of seven years: made the landscape, which had been a local beauty spot, unrecognizable; made it impossible for her and her son to live peacefully in their family home; and, may well have caused long-term damage by polluting the land and local water supplies. The Parliamentary Ombudsman and Local Government Ombudsman jointly investigated and fully uphold the complaint finding maladministration, by all three bodies, that caused considerable injustice over a lengthy period. The Ombudsmen make five recommendations in relation to the complaint, including making good the financial loss on the value of the property, estimated at GBP 35,000 by the District Valuer, and paying GBP 60,000 compensation for the distress caused.In addition the Environment Agency and Lancashire County Council should put in place an agreement on how to work together on illegal waste matters. |