The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainant’s application for listed building consent. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Planning Inspector.
The complaint
The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mr X, has complained about the Council’s decision to refuse his application for listed building consent. Mr X is also unhappy with how long it took the Council to determine his application.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone can appeal to a government minister. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to appeal. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(b)) The Planning Inspector acts on behalf of the responsible Government minister. The Planning Inspector considers appeals about: delay – usually over eight weeks – by an authority in deciding an application for planning permission a decision to refuse planning permission conditions placed on planning permission a planning enforcement notice.
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X can appeal to the Planning Inspector if he is unhappy with the Council’s decision to refuse his application for listed building consent. He also could have appealed to the Inspector after eight weeks if he was unhappy with how long the Council was taking to determine his application.
I consider it would be reasonable for Mr X to use his right to appeal. The Ombudsman will not usually investigate when someone has a right to appeal to the Planning Inspector, even if the appeal will not address all the issues complained about.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he has the right to appeal to the Planning Inspector.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman