Publication Scheme

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Last revised: 21 April 2008

Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act introduced on 1st January 2005 places a duty on public authorities to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. This document is the Planning Services Publications Scheme which lists and defines the classes of information that we hold and is also a guide to how the information can be obtained. When information that is not available in a published form is requested the Act gives us a 20 working day deadline for supplying it, beginning on the date the request is received.

The Council can charge for retrieving information at a current rate of £25 per hour. If the cost of providing the information exceeds £450 we can decline to provide it. If a fee is to be charged the customer will be notified. This “stops the clock”. The 20-day period will only restart (continuing the count from the day it was suspended) when the fee is paid. A standard form is attached below and can be used for requests at reception where the customer has not prepared a prior written request.

Part II of the Freedom of Information Act contains details of information that is exempt from publication. Some of the information we hold is exempt for reasons of law enforcement (section 30), commercial interest (section 43) or prejudicial to effective conduct of public affairs (section 36). Other exemptions may apply in individual cases depending on the nature of the information requested.

The table below is a guide to the kind of information the Planning Services Unit holds and that can be requested under the FOI Act.

Development Control and Conservation

  • Application forms

  • Guidance notes

  • Fees

  • Do I need to make a planning application?

  • Planning application files

  • Design guides

  • Landscape guides

  • Historic building guides

  • Correspondence files

Forward Planning and Transportation

  • Local plan documents

  • Local development framework

  • Statement of community involvement

  • Planning briefs

  • Supplementary planning guidance

  • Monitoring statements

  • Village design statements

  • Correspondence files

Building Control and Property Management

  • Application forms

  • Guidance notes

  • Building control application files

Planning Services Unit

  • Planning Charter

  • How Planning Works

  • FOI Publications Scheme



Please follow here to see the list of all documents held by each department (Microsoft Word, 188 KB)

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Planning and Building Control

Request for information

This form has been designed to enable the speedy and efficient handling of your request. If we are able to supply the requested information, we aim to supply it within 20 working days. A charge may be made for copying the information. If this is necessary, we will advise you in advance of the charge. If the information you request is exempt from publication under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 you will be informed in writing. Should this occur you will have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner who will review the Council’s decision not to disclose the information requested.

Please follow here to download the Form. Publication Scheme (Microsoft Word, 188 KB)