Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to grant planning permission. This is because the complaint is late and we have seen no reason to exercise discretion on this point.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about the Council’s decision to allow her neighbours to demolish a building, erect a replacement building, another outbuilding, build a patio and landscape their property.

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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 Mrs X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is late. The Council granted planning permission in October 2024. Mrs X did not complain to the Council until August 2025 and did not contact the Ombudsman until November 2025. Mrs X was aware of the Council’s decision in October 2024. I have seen no good reason why she could not have contacted us sooner.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman