Natural England

In two requests, the complainant has requested information about a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  Natural England has refused to comply with both requests under regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR (‘manifestly unreasonable’ request) and says the public interest favours maintaining this exception. The Commissioner’s decision is that the two requests can be categorised as manifestly unreasonable in line with the exception under regulation 12(4)(b), and that the public interest favours maintaining the exception. The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2017/0174 struck out.