on the lessons that can be learnt from our complaints about end of life care given in care homes and in the home.
Category : Planning > Planning applications Decision : Closed after initial enquiries Decision date : 01 Apr 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Authority considered a planning application. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Planning Authority did not thoroughly check information in a planning application.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Authority.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X complained the Planning Authority did not thoroughly scrutinise the need for development or consider other nearby development. Mr X said it should have taken further advice.
The Planning Authority said it did have clear information on which to base its decision, including its own consultant’s report which detailed land use and the need for development. The planning history for this development and nearby development was laid out in the officer’s report.
The Ombudsman is not an appeal body. We look at the process a council followed to make its decision. The Council considered information from its consultant’s report, from relevant consultees and the responses from the local community to make its decision. If the Council followed its process correctly, we cannot question the decision made even if a complainant disagrees with it.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman