20 April 2009

Dear Toad,

New Traveller Pitches in the southwest

I refer to my email of 9 April acknowledging your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act. I am writing to advise you that the Department has decided not to disclose the information you requested on 26 March 2009.

The information you requested is being withheld as it falls under the exemption in section 22 of Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act. Prior to 1 April 2008, Communities and Local Government did not collect information on the outcomes of planning applications submitted for Gypsy and Traveller pitches. With effect from 1 April 2008 however, local authorities have been required to provide information on decisions relating to planning applications for Gypsy and Traveller pitches. I can confirm therefore that we do hold information from that date.

However, the information has not yet been published. It will be published for the first time at 0930 hours on Friday 26 June 2009, and on a quarterly basis thereafter. The publication date has been pre-announced on the UK Statistics Authority website as it is part of a National Statistic on Planning Applications. The information is therefore withheld pursuant to section 22 of the Act since it is information that is intended for future publication. Release of the information prior to the above date would be unfair to others who might be affected by a premature disclosure.

For your information, the data will be included in the document entitled “Statistics of Planning Applications: March Quarter 2009, England”. The URL for the publication (on 26 June 2009) will be http://communities.gov.uk/corporate/publications/statistics/

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained in the enclosed leaflet. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following any review

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Bates