Site G Knock Rushen Castletown

Summary

The request sought all correspondence regarding Site G on the Castletown land review plan between October 2015 and May 2018. The Cabinet Office provided the requested documents but redacted personal information under Section 25 of the Act.

Key Facts

• The request covered correspondence from October 2015 to May 2018 relating to Site G in Castletown.
• Some information was withheld because it constituted absolutely exempt personal data under the Data Protection Act 2002.
• In October 2017, Site Assessments were published for 22 sites in the area.
• Seven sites were identified as suitable for further consideration in October 2017.
• Planning applications for selected sites were scheduled to be accepted only after 1 March 2018.

Data Disclosed

• October 2015
• May 2018
• August to October 2016
• October 2017
• 22 sites
• 12 December 2017
• seven sites
• four sites
• 1 March 2018
• Section 25
• Data Protection Act 2002
• 449536

Exemptions Cited

• Section 25 of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information)
• Data Protection Act 2002

Original Request

Can you please provide me with all information relating site G on the current Cabinet Office Castletown land review plan. This should include minutes of meetings, emails, letters, plans or any other information that relates to this site. Clarification received: I am interested in all correspondence from October 2015 until May 2018 relating to the attach site plan marked G.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 449536 31 May 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 1 May 2018 and which states:

"Can you please provide me with all information relating site G on the current Cabinet Office Castletown land review plan. This should include minutes of meetings, emails, letters, plans or any other information that relates to this site. Clarification received: I am interested in all correspondence from October 2015 until May 2018 relating to the attach site plan marked G."

Copies of the information you have requested are enclosed.

However, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance some details within the information you have requested have been redacted because it is absolutely exempt under section 25 of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information). The reason why this exemption applies is because: - The Cabinet Office is satisfied that such information amounts to personal data under the Data Protection Act 2002. - The Cabinet Office is satisfied that disclosure of the information would contravene one of the data protection principles, namely that Cabinet Office can only disclose the information where it would be fair, lawful and meet one of the conditions in schedule 2 and in this case, none of those conditions have been met. In order to provide you with some further context in respect of the Area Plan for the South, please see the details below. The Area Plan for the South includes a commitment to explore potential opportunities for additional housing within Castletown.
Call for Sites and Initial Consultation In October 2015, the Department of Infrastructure (which was then the Department responsible for Planning Policy), started preparatory work on the Castletown Housing

Land Review and issued a ‘Call for Sites’. From August to October 2016 the Cabinet Office carried an Initial Consultation to seek comments on: • A Provisional Housing Need Assessment for Castletown • Sites which were put forward to the Department in response to the ‘Call for Sites’ and other areas which could be considered (i.e. which in the Department’s opinion should also undergo preliminary assessment) • Potential ways forward for the project In October 2017 Site Assessments were produced and published for 22 sites. A Site Assessment Process Report was published which made a number of recommendations going forward. A Housing Needs Assessment was also produced for Castletown. On Tuesday 12 December 2017, the Hon Chris Thomas, Minister for Policy and Reform, made a Statement in Tynwald. The following is an extract from part of that speech. 'The way forward which has the most merit is to invite the submission of planning applications on a number of sites. There is no reason to delay any longer the idea of looking to specific land owners and developers to use the evidence we have collated and think through how schemes could be worked up on their sites and how any highlighted issues can be addressed. In October, seven sites were identified as being suitable for further consideration. I propose to write to the landowners of four of these sites explaining that in the Cabinet Office’s view, they are worthy of proper consideration through detailed planning applications. A lot of time, effort and resources have already gone into this project, and it would only be proper to disclose which sites have been highlighted in the first instance to those most directly involved. The owners of other sites not selected will also be contacted. I would like to stress at this point that the southern Members, the Castletown Commissioners, as well as landowners and agents acting on their behalf, have been very patient throughout this project and assisted throughout. I would like to thank all who have been involved in the past couple of years and welcome the next steps.' In order to allow all site owners to prepare well thought through applications and to seek pre-application advice as necessary, the Planning and Building Control Directorate at DEFA will only accept applications on selected sites after 1 March 2018.
This decision and the accompanying map (dated December 2017) do not imply that planning approval will be granted and applications submitted will be considered on their merits in the normal way taking into account the Site Assessment Report findings and all other material considerations.’ Please quote the reference number 449536 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; 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 right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at 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. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely ###

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator