Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to grant planning permission to a neighbouring property. The complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate it now.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council granted planning permission to a development on a neighbouring property. Ms X says the development has reduced the natural light reaching her property, which has caused mould growth. Ms X wants the Council to reconsider its decision.

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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 neighbour applied for planning permission in 2024, and Ms X submitted her objection to the development. The Council considered Ms X’s objections but granted planning permission anyway. Ms X complained to the Council about the decision. 16 months after the permission was granted, Ms X complained to the Ombudsman.
6. 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

7. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate it now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman