Copy of the draft Eastern Plan that has recently been issued

Summary

A request for a copy of the draft Eastern Plan was denied because the information is already reasonably accessible to the public via the government website and physical locations. The authority clarified that the requested document is actually a preliminary public consultation, not a final draft plan.

Key Facts

• The request was made on 4 May 2017 and responded to on 5 May 2017.
• The Cabinet Office determined the information is already reasonably accessible under Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The document requested is identified as a preliminary public consultation rather than a draft Eastern Plan.
• Hard copies of the report and annexes are available for purchase for £4.
• Physical copies can be viewed at the Sea Terminal, Government Office, and Murray House in Douglas.

Data Disclosed

• 4 May 2017
• 5 May 2017
• 12 months
• £4
• A3
• IM86626I
• Section 20
• Section 15

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information already reasonably accessible)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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REFERENCE NUMBER: IM86626I

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your on-line application dated 4 May 2017 requesting the following information:

“A copy of the draft Eastern Plan that has recently been issued together with plans.”

Response to your request
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. This is an absolute exemption from the provision of information.
Please note that the detail you refer to is the preliminary public consultation and not a draft Eastern Plan. Any such draft plan is unlikely to be available until approximately 12 months after closure of the consultation. However, as your request states the information you request has been issued, we believe you are referring to the consultation. In line with section 15 of the Act “Duty to provide advice and assistance” please be advised that this information is readily available and can be found on the IOM Government website at the following link: https://www.gov.im/categories/planning-and- building-control/planning-policy/development-plan/area-plan-for-the-east/preliminary-publicity/ (for your record this webpage has been printed and is attached). This site also confirms that hardcopies of the Report and Annexes may be purchased, price £4, from the Welcome Centre, Sea Terminal, Douglas (price is based on maps being A3 size). Hardcopy versions are also available to view only at the following locations:  1st floor, The Sea Terminal, Douglas (Planning Policy Team, Cabinet Office)  3rd floor, Government Office, Bucks Road, Douglas (Main Cabinet Office reception)  1st Floor, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas (Planning and Building Control reception - DEFA)
Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to the FOI Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PN. An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-

Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Tel: (+44) 01624 686244 Fax: (+44) 01624 685710 Website www.gov.im/co
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information-review-request-january-1-2017/ , a paper copy can be requested by contacting the Cabinet Office direct.
Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to apply for a review of decisions by the Information Commissioner, for a decision on; 1) Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Act; or 2) Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.
More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://www.inforights.im/ Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found at: www.gov.im/foi.