Summary: Mr X complains about the grant of planning permission for a kiosk in a local park. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient injustice to him to warrant investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the grant of planning permission for a kiosk in a local park.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide:

• there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained, or
• any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
5. I considered the complainant’s comments on my draft decision..

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My assessment

6. Mr X says that the Council’s grant of planning permission for a kiosk in a local park will use up valuable park space and affect local businesses.
7. I am not persuaded that the personal injustice to Mr X is so significant as to warrant investigation by the Ombudsman. There is no financial loss to him or any significant loss of amenity.

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Final decision

8. I do not intend to investigate this complaint because there is insufficient injustice to warrant investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman