Chichester District Council

The complainant contacted the Council to request information relating to proposals to build affordable housing on a piece of land next to her property. The Council responded refusing to disclose information under regulation 12(4)(e) of the EIR. As the complainant remained dissatisfied, she approached the Commissioner. During the Commissioner’s investigation the Council claimed a late reliance on regulations 12(4)(d), 12(5)(e), 12(5)(f) and 13 of the EIR. The Commissioner has considered the application of these exceptions to the remaining withheld information. In this case he has concluded that regulations 12(4)(e), 12(4)(d), 12(5)(e) and 12(5)(f) do not apply. Concerning regulation 13 of the EIR, the Commissioner concluded that this exception had been applied correctly to the names of third parties external to Council. The Commissioner has ordered the Council to release all outstanding withheld information to the complainant, with the names of external third parties redacted, within 35 days of this Notice.