Information Commissioner's Office

St Albans City and District Council

5 March 2007, Local government (District council)

The complainants had requested all documents and records held regarding planning applications submitted by a neighbour, their subsequent complaints in respect of how the planning applications were processed, and complaint to the local government ombudsman. The Council provided some of the information requested, withholding the remainder under sections 40 and 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act”). Following the intervention of the Commissioner the Council agreed to release additional information to the complainants, however, it insisted on withholding six documents citing the exemptions mentioned. The Commissioner is satisfied that the exemptions have been applied appropriately therefore; the Council are not required to take any further action. An appeal was made to the Tribunal but later withdrawn.

FOI 40: Not upheld