London Borough of Waltham Forest

The complainant has requested the definitive map of the borough and all information which backs up the map. The London Borough of Waltham Forest (‘the Council’) provided access to the current definitive map and statement and provided copies of paperwork associated with the work carried out by the consultants it employed to produce the map. However the Council has not provided all of the requested background information from applicants and consultants employed by the Council which backs up the definitive map. This decision notice is currently under appeal to the Tribunal.

During the course of the investigation the Commissioner determined that the Council wrongly handled the request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). After revisiting the request under EIR the Council chose to rely on Regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR in refusing to provide all of the further background information which backs up the definitive map, arguing that compliance with the request would be manifestly unreasonable on the grounds of costs. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has correctly applied Regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR. The Commissioner does not require the Council to take any steps. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2014/0314 dismissed.