This investigation report sets out how the Environment Agency (the Agency) made mistakes in the way it handled an application to harness a renewable energy source. It then refused to fix these errors, causing prolonged suffering and years of uncertainty for a small family business.
We consider the Agency has not complied with all our recommendations since the report was first published.
We have now laid this report before Parliament for it to consider taking action to remedy the failure of the Environment Agency, provide adequate compensation and deliver justice to the Earl family.
The Ombudsman has also written to the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC), urging them to follow up with the Environment Agency, for both the benefit of the Earls and to safeguard citizens’ access to justice in future.