FOI request (FOIR-826244791)

Gladman's contract to obtain land at Sandrock bend

Requested Sun 12 April 2026
Responded Fri 24 April 2026

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Response

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

 

Under Environmental Information Regulations the information requested above is exempt under Section 12(5)(e) ‘Confidentiality of commercial or industrial information where such confidentiality is provided by law to protect a legitimate economic interest’

 

We have considered the following:

 

·       Is the information commercial or industrial

·       Is the information subject to confidentiality provided by law

·       Is the confidentiality protecting a legitimate economic interest

·       Would disclosure adversely affect the confidentiality

Hastings Borough Council believes this information is commercially sensitive. 

Section 12(5)(e) 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:

 ·       Transparency and accountability.

 

Factors against disclosure:

• Maintaining commercial confidences.

 

• Information in relation to this subject is highly sensitive and confidential and the disclosure of this information is likely to prejudice the owners commercial interests.

 

• If the information is disclosed it could be used to seek harm on the owners commercial interests.

 

• Were such information disclosed, then it could be used by competitors and potential purchasers to the owners financial detriment. 

 

• In all circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.