This Fact sheet is about complaints about planning applications. It should be read together with our ‘How to Complain‘ webpage, available on the ‘Making A Complaint’ tab.
The Council is the local planning authority for its area (in some areas this is a function of a National Park Authority). Planning authorities are responsible for making decisions and taking action about various planning matters. They have to work within the law, government guidance and the authority’s own policy. We may be able to help you with your complaint against a planning authority.
We can look at whether there is something wrong in the way in which the Council went about deciding an application for a neighbouring development. This can include the failure to:
We cannot look at:
We are unlikely to look at your complaint if it relates to private matters between you and your neighbor – e.g. boundary disputes.
We cannot overturn the decision or demolish the development even if you are affected, but, if your complaint is upheld, we will consider other ways of reducing any effect on you.
Planning Aid Wales can give helpful information on planning matters. You can contact them via phone on 029 2062 5000 or via the internet at www.planningaidwales.org.uk
Planning information can also be obtained at http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/wales/public
The Council’s own website may also contain information about some planning matters.
We are independent and impartial; we cannot order public bodies to do what we recommend – but, in practice, they almost always do. Examples of cases that we have looked at can be found on our website, under the ‘Publications’ tab on the ‘Our Findings’ page.
If you are unsure whether we would be able to look into your complaint, please contact us on 0300 790 0203 or ask@ombudsman.wales