A planning consultant in Armagh has been ordered to pay more than £1,700 after he admitted taking money to lodge a planning application for a small business but never filing the paperwork, according to Armagh I.

The case concerned an application that was paid for but never submitted to the relevant authorities.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

This case is a reminder for anyone paying a consultant to handle planning paperwork: always ask for proof that an application has actually been lodged, and keep a record of what you paid for.

  • Get it in writing — ask for a receipt and confirmation that your application has been submitted.
  • Check with the council — you can contact your local planning authority to confirm whether an application has been received.
  • Act quickly — if you suspect money was taken for work that was never done, report it to the police and Trading Standards.