London Borough of Bromley (20 008 577)
Category : Planning > Planning applications
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 16 Aug 2021
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with planning applications from her neighbour. We will not investigate this complaint because the complaint is out of time.
The complaint
- Ms X complains about the way the Council dealt with planning applications from her neighbour.
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 and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
- I have considered Ms X’s comments on the draft decision.
My assessment
- Ms X’s neighbour submitted a planning application for a two storey extension in May 2019. Ms X objected to the planning application but it was granted by the Council in August 2019.
- A further application was made to discharge planning conditions relating to boundary and screening was made in October 2019 and this was approved in December 2019.
- I see no reason why a complaint about this matter could not have been made to this office within 12 months of the matter arising. The complaint is therefore out of time.
Final decision
- I do not intend to investigate this complaint because the matter is I see no reason why a complaint about this matter could not have been made to this office within 12 months of the matter arising. The complaint is therefore out of time.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman