The Environmental Information Regulations give members of the public a right of access to information that falls within the definition of 'environmental information'. A broad range of organisations are covered by these regulations and include some non-public sector organisations such as utility companies.
Environmental information is divided into the following six main areas:
- The state of the elements of the environment, such as air, water, soil, land, fauna (including human beings).
- Emissions and discharges, noise, energy, radiation, waste and other such substances.
- Measures and activities such as policies, plans, and agreements affecting or likely to affect the state of the elements of the environment.
- Reports, cost-benefit and economic analyses.
- The state of human health and safety, contamination of the food chain.
- Cultural sites and built structures (to the extent they may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment).
A request for environmental information can be made to any part of the council, and can be made by letter, email, fax, telephone or in person. However, it would assist us in dealing with your request if you requested this information online.
You will normally receive a response within 20 working days. Sometimes we must refuse to disclose information. If this is the case, we will explain the legal reasons for our refusal and you will have a right of appeal.
Sometimes there is a charge for the information you have requested. If this is the case, we will tell you before the information is sent. For further details on how we will deal with your request, download our guidance document below:
Public access to and requests for unpublished information (PDF 63kb)