FOI request (FOIR-429779571)

Planning Application: HS/FA/22/000339/Description: Proposed asphalt surface to existing hardcore access ramp/Address: Rocklands Private Caravan Park, Rocklands Lane, Hastings, TN35 5DY

Requested Wed 15 June 2022
Responded  Tue 05 July 2022

Under the FOI/EIR legislation it is not necessary for me to direct my request to you directly - it was a freedom of information request made to a member of staff, which should have been answered under that legislation.

The query is a question that relates to recorded information as it was the case officer that directed me to the relevant website, which did not answer my question at all and that is why I requested that the answer was expanded upon under EIR.

It is not a request for an opinion, it is a request for information on where it states in the Planning Comments Policy that any references to enforcement queries or notices that are relevant to the planning history of the site, or the open planning application will be redacted. The redaction policy seems to be one that has been applied by the case officer, and relates to his own opinion on whether the information is sensitive, and does not relate to the website to which I have been directed. The case officer also directs you to the website for speaking at a planning committee meeting, which has no bearing on making objections or comments to open planning applications.

Most of the information redacted was gleaned through a previous FOI request as noted within my letters, FOIR-327170579, or is already held on the planning website or is within the public domain.

Therefore, I am requesting information on where it states within the Planning Comments Policy that references to closed enforcement cases will be redacted or suppressed completely - even though they are already in the public domain.

I am not happy to accept that the redactions are at the officer's discretion, as this redaction of text that relates to enforcement queries, including the ones mentioned within my objection letter, was reversed over two years ago, amicably.

It is obviously recorded information, on why the decision to reverse the decision, yet again has been made - there must be a change in circumstances - I would like this information, or an exception reason given on why the information cannot be given at this time.

This is the third time that information has been redacted from objection letters in respect of Rocklands, and it has been reversed twice because the reasons for redaction could not be substantiated.

The decision to withhold information in respect of closed enforcement queries, as they were considered to be sensitive when live, was reversed during ICO enquiries and the information is to be released - please can it be confirmed why this does not apply to enforcement query: ENF/20/00325, which was mentioned in my objection letter? This must be recorded information!

Response

The Planning Comments section on our website is guidance, not policy. It is not an exhaustive list related to what will be redacted. In this instance, the reasons for redaction have been explained in your recent stage 1 complaint response.

The Council holds no other recorded information, other than those contained in the link the officer sent to you.