Last updated:
8th August 2023
See answers to previous information requests
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This search is for our information requests from September 2020 onward. You can also visit our previous Disclosure Log to see requests received before this period.
Planning Information
See notes
1. Most recent Article 4 Directive shape files in vector format. Currently, the mapped Article 4 Directive cannot be assessed in sufficient detail, and having access to them in vector format is crucial for our analysis for planning purposes. I am happy to receive map/shape files in any recognised vector format which contains the coordinates describing the shape of the Article 4 area and can be used in GIS software.
As Article 4 Directives are part of land designation, these shape files should be publicly accessible. Therefore, I kindly ask that you provide these shape files in a compatible vector format.
2. Additionally, I request the most up-to-date Article 4 Directive documentation in re-usable (computer readable) format (not as images or scanned documents). Having access to this documentation is essential for our comprehensive understanding and application of these directives.
3. Also, please provide information about any APIs that you may have relating to planning information such as shape files, planning applications (in machine readable pdf) or other information.
Wokingham Borough Council will not be releasing these requested GIS shapefile on the following
grounds:
a) Section 21(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 sets out an absolute exemption to an FOI request whereby the information is reasonably accessible to the applicant.
The Council has made its GIS mapping data publicly available online, on the Planning Policies and Constraints Maps. The Council is not therefore obliged to provide the information requested, as it is already publicly available online.
b) Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 sets out that FOI requests shall be
refused where they could prejudice commercial interests of an organisation.
The Ordnance Survey (OS) licensing agreement shared with public service bodies, including Wokingham Borough Council, makes it clear that FOI requests for OS data in digital forma (including data that is derived from OS data) shall be refused, given that vector data can be commercially exploited and hence undermine the revenues of OS and its licensed partners.
