Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about information provided in a local plan. The complaint is late and it would have been reasonable for Mr X to bring the matter to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council provided inaccurate information about a proposed development in support of their local plan.

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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 information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council included information about a proposed development in their draft local plan.
6. Mr X complains the information the Council included is inaccurate.
7. We normally expect people to complain to us within twelve months of them becoming aware of a problem. Mr X has been aware of the matters he complains of since February 2024 but did not complain to the Ombudsman until September 2025. We look at each complaint individually, and on its merits, considering the circumstances of each case. But we do not exercise discretion to accept a late complaint unless there are good reasons to do so. I have considered whether to exercise our discretion to investigate the complaint, but I have seen no good reasons to do so.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. The complaint is late and it would have been reasonable for Mr X to bring the matter to us sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman