The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about planning permission because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
The complaint
Ms X complains that the Council unreasonably granted planning permission for a neighbour’s extension which affects her amenity.
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, or any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained, or any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.
(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 Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council granted planning permission for a single storey extension to Ms X’s neighbour in 2025. No objections were recorded by the Council.
Ms X says that the extension has restricted light to one side of their house.
The Planning Officer report to the original planning application noted that the effect of the extension would be reduced by the existing fencing and not overbearing or overlook (as there was no proposed window).
Whilst I appreciate Ms X’s concerns about the extension, I am satisfied that the Planning Officer considered the effect upon Ms X’s amenity. In the absence of administrative fault, the Ombudsman would not question the merits of the decision reached.
Final decision
We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman