The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about planning permission and planning enforcement because it is out of time.
The complaint
Mr X complains about planning permission granted in 2022 and subsequent enforcement issues.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained about planning permission granted by the Council in December 2022 for a neighbour’s property extension. He complained further in 2023 about matters he felt should be the subject of enforcement action by the Council.
These matters are beyond our 12 month time limit for investigation and I see no reason why the Ombudsman should investigate these matters outside of the time limit.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is out of time.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman