LGO Complaint — Maladministration Builder

1. Eligibility — can the Ombudsman look at this?

The LGO has firm gateways. Confirm each before you complain.

I have been through the council's own complaints procedure firstThe LGO normally won't investigate until the council has had the chance to put things right through all its complaint stages (or has unreasonably delayed doing so). It is within 12 months of when I became aware of the problemThe LGO normally won't look at matters older than 12 months unless there's a good reason. This is not something I could (reasonably) take to the Planning Inspectorate insteadWhere you have a right of appeal (e.g. against a refusal), the LGO usually expects you to use it. The LGO is for handling/process failings, not the planning decision itself.

2. What went wrong? (the maladministration)

Tick the process failings that happened. The LGO looks at how the council acted, not whether you agree with the outcome.

What injustice did this cause you? Specific facts / dates (optional)

3. Your details (for the draft)

Your name

Council

Site / application reference

Council complaint reference (if any)

4. Draft complaint to the Ombudsman

Edit, then submit via the LGO website (www.lgo.org.uk). Attach your evidence and the council's final complaint response.

Note. The LGO cannot overturn a planning permission or quash a decision — its remedies are recommendations (an apology, a financial remedy for your time/costs/distress, and changes to council procedures). For the decision itself, the routes are appeal (where available) or, on a point of law, judicial review.

🔍 LGO Complaint — Maladministration Builder

1. Eligibility — can the Ombudsman look at this?

2. What went wrong? (the maladministration)

3. Your details (for the draft)

4. Draft complaint to the Ombudsman

🤖 Planning Agent