PLANNING officers' failure to properly consult on the controversial City Gate mental health unit led to 18 complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.

But the ombudsman, which can investigate council procedures and make recommendations, has praised the city council for admitting it was at fault quickly.

The council launched an investigation into the planning process behind the 46-bed secure unit in City Gate following complaints from councillors and residents outraged that the development had been approved without them knowing about it.

Following a Derby Telegraph investigation, a senior council planner admitted officers who gave the go-ahead had failed to properly inform the public of the plans. An internal investigation revealed that similar mistakes had been made on 60 other applications.

The Local Government Ombudsman was called on to investigate the City Gate situation and its annual report for 2009-10 reveals that of the 82 contacts from the public it received about the city council, 18 related to the City Gate issue. The planning department itself was the subject of 37 inquiries.

The report said of the City gate situation: "The council agreed to review the decision-making process and to allow all relevant planning considerations to be fully reconsidered.

"The council also agreed to use publicity procedures that exceed those required by law for major developments to allow those who wished to comment on the development to do so.

"The council also agreed to commission a planning report from an independent expert to be considered as part of the review process.

"I would like to commend the council for its quick admission of fault, for its openness and willingness to reach a practical solution."

But Madeline Hackett, who raised the initial concerns about the planning process and complained to the ombudsman herself, said: "The council certainly does not deserve praise. I think it is a disgrace.

"The ombudsman procedure is nothing but a sop."

Of the 82 inquiries received in 2009-10, the ombudsman investigated 50 – the remainder were dismissed as having no grounds for investigation.

That is a rise from the previous year when 80 inquiries were made and 32 were investigated.

Of the 50 investigated inquiries, 27 cases were settled locally, which means the council takes or agrees to take action which the ombudsman finds satisfactory. A further 20 complaints were discontinued due to no or insufficient evidence of maladministration and three complaints were outside the ombudsman's jurisdiction.