FOI request (FOIR-738877211)

Pier Enforcement

Requested Mon 11 August 2025
Responded Wed 03 September 2025

A year ago the committee reports on planning applications HS/FA/24/00046 and HS/LB/24/00047 said:

'There are also a number of unauthorised structures and uses on the Pier which are subject of an enforcement case and do not form part of the consideration of this application.'

Please send me the papers relating to this case.

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Response

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

Under Environmental Information Regulations the information you have requested relating to unauthorised structures and uses on Hastings Pier is being refused under Exception 12(5)(b) ‘The course of justice and inquiries’.

'The course of justice' has a wide meaning which includes material covered by Law enforcement, investigations and proceedings.

This exception are 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. This is currently a live case therefore we are protecting information that has been acquired during investigations.

b. Correspondence contains confidential information.

c. The significance and sensitivity of the information.

d. Consideration of options and the exchange of views within a ‘safe space’.

e. Maintaining the confidentiality of discussions in the interest of good governance and the perceived threat to candour and boldness in the giving of advice.