Environmental information
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 give you the right
to see information that relates to the environment and anything
which may have a negative effect upon it.
The definition of 'environmental information' is wide and includes
information relating to the state of elements of the environment,
such as land, water, biological organisms etc - as well as measures
and activities which may affect these, including economic analysis
of such measures and activities.
Typical examples of requests might include:
- Details of landfill sites within a specified distance from a
site, or details of specific sites or former sites
- Details regarding incidents of pollution within a specified
distance from a site
- Abatement notices in relation to statutory nuisances within a
distance from a site
- LAPC or IPPC processes within a specified distance from a
site
- Private water extractions within the vicinity of the site
- Details of levels of radon in the area
- Monitoring information
Publication scheme
Some environmental information is made available already through
our publication scheme. Please check the publication
scheme before making a request for information.
How to make a request for information
If the information you want is not in our scheme, you can submit a
request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. In
all cases, please clearly state what information you are requesting
and in what format you would like the information to be provided.
Requests can be made:
- Online: using the
environmental information online form
- By phone: to 01695 577177
- By email: barry.walters@westlancsdc.gov.uk
- By fax: to 01695 585216 (please mark this for the attention of
the Environmental Protection Manager)
- By post: to Environmental Protection Manager, West Lancashire
District Council, Westec House, Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39
2DF
When will you get a response?
The council will normally be required to respond to your request
within 20 working days from the date of receipt. However, this
period can be extended in certain circumstances.
If there is a charge for the information, we will ask you to
confirm you are willing to pay before answering the request. In
certain circumstances - for example for large requests - we reserve
the right to ask for prepayment, in which case the 20 working days
will begin once the payment has been received.
If we refuse to give you all or part of the information, we will
write to you explaining why. The reason will be based on the
exceptions in the regulations. You can appeal
against decisions.
Charges
Requests are subject to a £15 administration charge, plus £15 per
half hour of officer time. Typically charges are not usually in
excess of £50, but this will obviously depend on your request.
Please see the charges for information requests
page.
Exemptions and exceptions
For information about exceptions to Environmental Information
Regulations 2004, please read the page on exemptions.