London Borough of Merton

The complainant has requested information regarding a specific planning application. The London Borough of Merton (the Council) originally refused the request on the basis of the exception at regulation 13 of the EIR (personal data). It subsequently cited further exceptions: regulation 12(4)(b) (manifestly unreasonable request), regulation 12(4)(d) (material in the course of completion) and regulation 12(4)(e) (internal communications). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has failed to demonstrate that any of the exceptions cited are engaged with respect to the requested information. Therefore the Commissioner requires that the information be disclosed.