Uttlesford District Council

The complainant has requested Uttlesford District Council (‘the council’) to release information relating to the planning applications submitted by Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The council released the requested information to the complainant with the exception of six internal emails, which it withheld under regulation 12(4)(e) of the EIR. The Commissioner’s decision is that regulation 12(4)(e) of the EIR is engaged in this case. However, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining this exception is outweighed by the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: it should release the remaining six internal emails to the complainant. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2011/0285 allowed.