FOI request (FOIR-184103147)

Caravan Site Licences and Plans - Caravan sites in Hastings

Requested Mon 16 March 2020
Responded  Thu 26 March 2020

Could you please supply me with the latest site licences and conditions for the following caravan sites:

- Spindle Wood Caravan Park, Rock Lane

- Shearbarn Caravan Park, Barley Lane

- Combe Haven Caravan Park, Harley Shute Road

- Stalkhurst Caravan Park, Ivy House Lane

Back in December 2015 / January 2016 you supplied me with the following versions of the site licence and conditions (request 15/671):

- Spindle Wood Caravan Park dated 15/03/2012

- Shearbarn Caravan Park dated 12/04/2013

- Combe Haven Caravan Park dated 15/03/2012

- Stalkhurst Caravan Park dated 21/03/2012

Following the RH environment audit reports from January 2015 and the site audit recommendations that new licences be issued I would like to ensure that I have the latest versions of the site licences ,site conditions and site plans.

In January 2017 I was informed by EIR (FOI204300) that the versions listed above remained the latest versions available. It was stated that all licences/conditions were being amended with the intention of issuing later in the year.

Please supply me with the latest versions of the site licences, site conditions and site plans issued by HBC. This is a formal request under EIR regulations.

Response

The licences, condition and plans for Stalkhurst, Combe Haven and Shearbarn Carvan Parks are the same as issued before and therefore not included.

An updated plan for Shearbarn Caravan Park is attached.

A new licence, conditions and plan for Spindlewood Carvan Park is also attached.

The licences for Stalkhurst, Combe Haven and Shearbarn Caravan Park have all been amended since last issued and are subject to on going consultation with the operators and are being refused.

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

Under Environmental Information Regulations the information requested in relation to the licence for Stalkhurst, Combe Haven and Shearbarn are exempt under Exception 12(4)(d) 'Information in the course of completion, unfinished documents and incomplete data'.

Exception 12(4)(d) is subject to a public interest test. This means that a public authority can refuse to disclose information under these exceptions if in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Factors for disclosure:

a. Transparency and accountability.

Factors against disclosure:

a. An authority will argue that it needs 'safe space' in which to do discuss material away from public scrutiny and that disclosing this material would harm that safe space.

b. Should the information be disclosed it would give a misleading or inaccurate impression.

c. The licences for these caravan parks will be in the public domain once issued.

The public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Attachments

• FOIR-184103147_FOIR-184103147_1-FOI184103147_(1)_-New_Caravan_Site_Licence_Spindlewood_090517_Redacted.pdf
• FOIR-184103147_FOIR-184103147_3-FOI184103147_(3)_plan_shearbarn_nov_2016.pdf
• FOIR-184103147_FOIR-184103147_2-FOI184103147_(2)_plan_2017.pdf