Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for apartments in the building where Mr X lives. The complaint is late and we have seen no reason why Mr X could not have contacted us much sooner.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council did not apply the correct due diligence when deciding to grant planning permission for a development affecting a conservation area.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. 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

4. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. In May 2024, the Council received a planning application for apartments in the building where Mr X lives. Mr X objected to the proposal, as did others. The Council granted planning permission in August 2024.
7. As an objector to the proposal and a resident in the building I have seen no reason why Mr X was not aware of the Council’s decision to grant planning permission.
8. Mr X did not complain to the Council until July 2025. Therefore, his complaint to the Ombudsman in November 2025 was made too late.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and we have seen no reason why he could not have contacted us much sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman