Environmental Information Regulations 2004

Environmental information is divided into the following main areas:

• Air, water, soil, land, flora and fauna (including human beings), diversity, genetically modified organisms;
• 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; and
• Cultural sites and built structures (as they may be affected by environmental factors)

How to make a request

We will deal with your Environmental Information requests in a similar way to the Freedom of Information requests that we receive, but will always consider the appropraiate legislation. You can make your request in the same way as making a Freedom of Information request by:

• Emailing FOI@nelincs.gov.uk
• Completing our online request form;
• Completing a request form available from our Customer Services Points;
• Writing to:

Corporate Records and Information Manager
North East Lincolnshire Council
Policy, Performance and Development
Municipal Offices
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN31 1HU

Unlike the Freedom of Information Act you can make a request for environmental information verbally. We will normally ask you to confirm this in writing to ensure that we clearly understand the information you require.

Your request must include:

• Your name;
• Your contact details for correspondence (this can be an e-mail or postal address); and
• A clear description of the information you require.

You can expect a response within 20 working days, or 40 working days if the request is complex or voluminous. There are a number of exceptions were it may not be possible to disclose the information to you, if this is the case, we will explain why an exception applies and your rights of appeal.

There may be a charge for providing the information you have requested. Please see our charging policy available to view or download on this page for further details.

What if you are not happy with how we deal with your request?

If you are unhappy with the information you have received or how your request was handled, you can either contact our Corporate Records and Information Manager to discuss or request an internal review. If you are still unhappy with our response, you can contact the Information Commissioner and ask them to investigate the matter by going to there website or writing to them at:

The Information Commissioner,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire
SK9 5AF