Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to grant his neighbour planning permission to develop their property. This is because there is on evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complains about the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for his neighbour to develop their property.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints of injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We cannot question whether a council’s decision is right or wrong simply because the complainant disagrees with it. We must consider whether there was fault in the way the decision was reached. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Mr X’s neighbour applied for planning permission to develop their property in 2021. Mr X objected to the application but the Council approved it. Mr X believes the Council’s decision is wrong.
5. I have reviewed the planning officer’s report on the planning application and found no evidence of fault in the way the Council reached its decision. The report addresses Mr X’s concerns and explains the reasons why the Council considers the proposal acceptable. While Mr X clearly disagrees with the Council’s decision the law does not allow us to question it.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman