Mr Stephen  Nash 
Our Ref: 
510/412 
Date: 29/04/09 
 
Re: Empty 
Commercial 
Properties 
 
Dear Mr Nash, 
 
With regards to your above request, I can confirm that we hold this information.  We are 
not, however, in a position to release it to you yet. 
 
We have determined what information we hold and we believe that some or all of the 
information is subject to certain exemptions as provided for in the FOIA.  The specific 
exemptions that are being considered are: 
 
Section 31 – Law Enforcement 
Section 38 – Health and Safety 
Section 39 – Environmental Information 
Section 40 – Personal Data 
Section 43 – Commercial Interests 
 
In all of the above exemptions, with the exception of Section 40, a Public Interest Test will 
be applied.  The Section 40 exemption is absolute and therefore needs no Public Interest 
Test.  Any information that is withheld by virtue of the above exemptions will be described 
and reasons given. 
 
In addition, following a spate of requests for this information, the Council is considering 
publishing this information on our website.  Should that be case, you will be informed of this 
decision and we will give you an indication of when it will be published. 
 
Lastly, we are aware of the recent decision by the Information Tribunal regarding empty 
residential properties and we will take into consideration its findings when determining what 
information to be released. 
 
I am sorry that we cannot help you at the moment but we will contact you with our decision.  
As a result of this letter, we are extending the request for another 20 working days from 
today.  This means that the response date is now 29th May 2009.  As we are considering 
exemptions, there is no appeal process available.  If required, we will explain to you the 
appeal procedure in a our response. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
 
 
David Sinclair 
Freedom Of Information Officer

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