FOI disclosure log

Customer

28 June 2020

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Dear Sir or Madam,


Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide me with copies of the following information held by Hackney Council:

1. Any byelaws, regulations, decisions, guidance or other information relevant to receiving a lawful development certificate for permitted development works to convert lofts or attics into habitable space, including any stipulations or restrictions concerning the size, design and extent of the dormer extension, and the design, size, location and number of dormer, skylight or Velux windows, which can be installed.
2. Any byelaws, regulations, decisions, guidance or other information relevant to receiving planning permission to convert basements into habitable space, including any stipulations or restrictions concerning the installation of external access doors or concerning the internal layout, including the installation of kitchens and bathrooms; assuming that the applicant does not intend to create a separate dwelling in any respect.

I understand that under the Act I am entitled to a response within 20 working days of your receipt of this request. Some parts of the request may be easier to answer than others. Should this be the case, I request that you release information as soon as possible.


If my request is denied in whole or in part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the act. I will also expect you to release all non-exempt material. I reserve the right to appeal your decision to withhold any information or to charge excessive fees.


I would prefer to receive the information electronically.


If you require any clarification, I expect you to contact me under your section 16 duty to provide advice and assistance if you find any aspect of this FOI request problematic.


Please acknowledge receipt of this request, and I look forward to receiving the information in the near future.


Yours faithfully,

***** *****
39 Thornby Road
London E5 9QL
07884430231
**********@*****

Message from Hackney Council

12 August 2020

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Dear ***** ***** 

 

Re: Freedom of Information Request /Environmental Information Request

Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, received 28 June 2020. Your request has been considered and our response is in bold below.

 

You requested the following: 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide me with copies of the following information held by Hackney Council:
1. Any byelaws, regulations, decisions, guidance or other information relevant to receiving a lawful development certificate for permitted development works to convert lofts or attics into habitable space, including any stipulations or restrictions concerning the size, design and extent of the dormer extension, and the design, size, location and number of dormer, skylight or Velux windows, which can be installed.
2. Any byelaws, regulations, decisions, guidance or other information relevant to receiving planning permission to convert basements into habitable space, including any stipulations or restrictions concerning the installation of external access doors or concerning the internal layout, including the installation of kitchens and bathrooms; assuming that the applicant does not intend to create a separate dwelling in any respect.

 

The Council’s Response

The information you have requested is exempt under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act.  Section 21 (2a) states that ‘information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant (even if it is accessible only on payment) is exempt’. In this instance, information regarding planning guidance is available on the Councils website using link below:

https://hackney.gov.uk/planning-guidance

Alternatively further information on loft conversions may be provided via:  https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/36/loft_conversion

Regarding basement conversions, you may find the below link useful:  https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200244/project_advice/142/basement_conversions

 

Appeals & Complaints Procedure

If you are dissatisfied with this response and wish to appeal, please reply to this email and this will be dealt with through our Internal Review procedure.

 

Your request should be submitted to us within 40 working days of receipt of this response. Any request received after this time will only be considered at the discretion of the Council.

 

If you are still not satisfied following the Internal Review, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner"s:

https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/

Information Commissioner"s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

0303 123 1113

Yours sincerely

 

Information Management Team

ICT Services
London Borough of Hackney