Epping Forest District Council
- Date 4 February 2021
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) EIR 12.5.b: Not upheld, EIR 5.1: Not upheld
The complainant has asked Epping Forest District Council for information which concerns Planning Application - EPF/2503/19. The Council responded to the complainant’s request by refusing to disclose the legal advice it had obtained from its lawyer in reliance on Regulation 12(5)(b) of the EIR, and by informing the complainant that it did not hold any further information other than that which it has disclosed to him. The Commissioner’s decision is that Epping Forest District Council has complied with the provision of Regulation 5(1) of the EIR in respect of the information which the complainant has asked for, with the exception of legal advice which was obtained by the Council and which is relevant to the complainant’s question 1. The Council is entitled to withhold the legal advice it holds on the grounds that it subject to the Council’s correct application of Regulation 12(5)(b).