London Borough of Ealing

The complainant asked for information in relation to pre application planning advice from the London Borough of Ealing (the Council). The Council gave links and supplied some information within scope of the request citing regulation 13 of the EIR for its redactions to personal information; however, it failed to clarify its position with regards to the Twyford Court pre application information requested. During the Commissioners investigation, and after further prompting, the Council cited its reliance on regulation 12(5)(d) of the EIR to withhold information in relation to the Twyford Court pre application. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council’s reliance on regulation 12(5)(d) is appropriate in the circumstances of this case and he considers that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exception in this case. The Council breached regulation 14 by failing to provide an appropriate refusal notice or rely on a relevant exception for this information within 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require the Council to take any steps as a result of this decision.