A Laxey resident was advised that a replacement river patio would be a “like for like” replacement, but this was “quite clearly” not the case, a DoI review found.
The department failed to follow correct procedures and gave misleading advice during the dispute over unauthorised flood works in Laxey.
The review said: “[Complainant] was advised that the replacement patio would be a ‘like for like’ replacement.
“The photographs of the original patio and the replacement structure demonstrate quite clearly that this is not the case and it is difficult to reconcile the suggestion of ‘like for like’.”
The review examined a dispute between neighbours at Victoria Terrace, Glen Road, following flood alleviation works.
The original wooden decked patio at Victoria Terrace was removed and replaced with a new concrete structure that protruded into the course of the river narrowing the river.
The review found the complaint to be “valid” and said “a full apology should be offered for “the unauthorised works, the conduct of Departmental Officers and the impact the works have had on [Complainant]”.