Environmental Information Regulations

These regulations allow residents of South Somerset to request a range of environmental information from us.

The Environmental Information Regulations has similar principles to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 however, they contain specific rights giving individuals access to a range of information affecting the environment including:

  • the state of elements of the environment such as: air, water, soil, landscape and natural sites, flora and fauna, including cattle, crops, GMO's, wildlife and biological diversity, and interaction between them.
  • the state of human health and safety, conditions of human life, the food chain, cultural sites and built structures in as much as they are or may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment and the interaction between them.
  • substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste affecting or likely to affect the state of the elements of the environment and the interaction between them.
  • measures, including: administrative measures, policies, legislation, plans, programmes and environmental agreements and activities affecting or likely to affect, or intended to protect the state of elements of the environment and the interaction between them.
  • emissions, discharges and other releases into the environment.
  • cost benefit and other economic analysis used in environmental decision making.

Please note: much of this information is not held by us, but may be available from other organisations to which these regulations also apply. 

If we do not not hold the information you have requested we will send you notification stating the information we are unable to supply, the reason why and where applicable, contact details of where the information may be obtained.  If an exemption applies to the information you have requested we will supply an explanation as to why the information has been withheld.

 

Making a request

Requests can be made verbally or in writing, contact details can be found on the right hand side of this page.

Please provide the following details when you make your request:

  • Your name and address - so we can provide you with the information
  • A contact telephone number - in case we need to ask you for further details
  • As much detail as possible - to enable us to fully respond to your enquiry

We have 20 working days in which to supply you with the information.  The exception is in circumstances where the request is voluminous and/or complex and then 40 days is allowed.

 

Charges

We do not charge for allowing you to access any public registers or to examine the information in person.  However, for all other situations there will be a charge and you will be informed of any costs on submission of a request.

 

Useful Contacts

Environment Agency

Defra