A LOCAL authority will have to fork out £3,500 in compensation after failing to deal with a resident’s complaints over a nuisance car wash.

The man suffered years of “persistent and intrusive” disruption as a result of maladministration by Flintshire Council, according to a new report issued by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

The investigation found the anonymous individual was exposed to unacceptable levels of noise and water spray from the business over a five-year period.

It concluded the council neglected to take timely and appropriate action to deal with the unnamed car wash, which was said to be causing a statutory nuisance.

It also states the council failed to give due consideration to the man’s right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of his home, as set out in the Human Rights Act 1998.

Ombudsman Nick Bennett said he was concerned over the repeated delays in handling the issue, despite it first being identified in in 2014.

He said: “The lack of records coupled with inaction over the five years preceding this date suggests that the council did not adequately consider whether to take enforcement action against the car wash, which amounts to maladministration.

“My investigation found that the council failed to respond to and escalate complaints appropriately.

“There was also an absence of clearly established ownership of responsibility for dealing with the situation at senior level, as well as a total disregard for the difficulties faced by Mr R, which severely affected his health and well-being.

“The council was informed of this and yet failed to act over a prolonged period of time.

“Consequently, there was no appropriate investigation of the complaint and Mr R and his landlord received no meaningful response to their concerns until my office intervened, which was completely unacceptable.”

The report shows the council did not open an appropriate case file on the man’s complaint until 18 months after the problems were first discovered and did not serve an abatement notice for a further 13 months.

When the car wash continued to operate and cause a nuisance, the authority took no further action.

Mr Bennett added it was “worrying” that the council had been aware the business did not have planning consent since 2012, but held no relevant records.

The authority said it had accepted the ombudsman’s recommendations including providing a full apology to the resident and his landlord, and to pay £3,500.

It added the necessary enforcement action had also been taken against the owner of the car wash.