Summary: Mr X complains about planning permission granted for a large development of dwellings near him. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter is out of time as planning permission was granted in 2015.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about planning permission granted for a large development of dwellings near him.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered the complainant's and Council's comments. The complainant has been given the opportunity to comment before a final decision has been made.

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What I found

4. Mr X says that he became aware of a planning application for a large number of dwellings near him. He complained to the Council that he had not been notified (although his property does not align the development). The Council says that those living next to the land were notified and there was publicity in the local press for the planning application.
5. I note the planning permission was granted in 2015. I see no reason why a complaint about this development could not have been made to this office within12 months of the grant of planning permission. Whilst I appreciate Mr X was unaware of the planning application, there is no evidence to show that the proper planning publicity was not carried out and it would be unreasonable to seek to investigate this complaint after such a long period of time has elapsed.

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Final decision

6. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter is out of time.
    

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman