Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not agreeing to approve Mr X’s application for a dropped kerb. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons for this.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that despite being granted planning permission to complete works on creating a driveway, the Council would not agree to his application for a dropped kerb. He said this has caused vast financial implications and devalued his property. Mr X wants the Council to approve his dropped kerb application.

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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 and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. The Council refused Mr X’s dropped kerb application in August 2024. Mr X appealed and the Council responded the following month. Mr X then contacted his MP and another organisation. However, he did not complain to us until February 2026. This was more than 12 months after he knew about the matter and after the Council had given its final response. So, the complaint is late. I have seen no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate it now.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons for this.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman