Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

The complainant has requested a draft Chalk Stream Recovery Pack (CSRP) which Defra has refused under regulations 12(4)(d) and 12(4)(e) of the EIR. These exceptions concern material still in the course of completion etc and internal communications respectively. The Commissioner’s decision is as follows: The draft CSRP engages regulation 12(4)(d) of the EIR but the public interest favours disclosure. The information in the draft CSRP to which Defra has also applied regulation 12(4)(e) engages that exception and the public interest favours withholding this information. The Commissioner requires Defra to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose to the complainant the information in the draft CSRP to which Defra has applied regulation 12(4)(d) of the EIR only.