Property and Assets and Buildings

The request was partially successful.

Dear Organisation,

I would like to know a full list of Vacant Properties held by your organisation and any of its subsidiaries.

If possible their market value for sale or to let, whether they would be considered for a community asset transfer, if not then whether they are for sale or to let. In a clear and easy to read format. It would be supportive if the property is for sale or to let that it is listed on here too: https://e-pims.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/gove... and that you inform us of this intention or such listing in the request.

In the previous case in Voyias v IC and LB Camden (EA/201v1/0007), the requesters asked for substantially similar information, and the judge favoured disclosure. I appreciate the circumstances here are quite different, but the same principles should apply.

I understand there is a risk that your empty properties would be targeted by squatters should this the list of empty properties be public, but this is a very slim risk. The prejudice to law enforcement should be real, likely and substantial, as per Hogan v the ICO and Oxford City Council. I can assure you that my request is not sent in order to cause trouble for the authority, it is predominantly for my own research, with publication as part of campaigning materials. I am concerned at the sale of public assets, not a not an advocate for their illegal occupation. I would also say that I cannot imagine the disclosure of this list of properties to significantly affect a squatting problem that pre-existed my interest in the organisation. Overall the prejudice to law enforcement is very slim, and not severe. Since 12 months will be the time that this information will be released onto this site, unless others request this information separately. The requester is not liable for any issues that may arise in between or after.

It is in the public interest and transparency that this information is made publicly available under the public sector duty under the equality act allowing people to know of this information and make use of it under the Community Asset Transfer scheme and under the Human Rights Act Article 11 enabling the community to gather and make decisions on the allocation of such assets.

Yours faithfully,

Viran Patel

autoresponder@sevenoaks.gov.uk, Sevenoaks District Council

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1 Attachment

Dear Viran Patel

 

Freedom of Information Request: 598 - 2018

 

Thank you for your request received by Sevenoaks District Council on 6
August 2018.

 

In relation to your enquiry, please find the Council’s response set out
below.

 

Your enquiry was:

 

I would like to know a full list of Vacant Properties held by your
organisation and any of its subsidiaries.

If possible their market value for sale or to let, whether they would be
considered for a community asset transfer, if not then whether they are
for sale or to let. In a clear and easy to read format. It would be
supportive if the property is for sale or to let that it is listed on here
too:
https://e-pims.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/gove...
and that you inform us of this intention or such listing in the request.

In the previous case in Voyias v IC and LB Camden (EA/201v1/0007), the
requesters asked for substantially similar information, and the judge
favoured disclosure. I appreciate the circumstances here are quite
different, but the same principles should apply.

I understand there is a risk that your empty properties would be targeted
by squatters should this the list of empty properties be public, but this
is a very slim risk. The prejudice to law enforcement should be real,
likely and substantial, as per Hogan v the ICO and Oxford City Council. I
can assure you that my request is not sent in order to cause trouble for
the authority, it is predominantly for my own research, with publication
as part of campaigning materials. I am concerned at the sale of public
assets, not a not an advocate for their illegal occupation. I would also
say that I cannot imagine the disclosure of this list of properties to
significantly affect a squatting problem that pre-existed my interest in
the organisation. Overall the prejudice to law enforcement is very slim,
and not severe. Since 12 months will be the time that this information
will be released onto this site, unless others request this information
separately. The requester is not liable for any issues that may arise in
between or after.

It is in the public interest and transparency that this information is
made publicly available under the public sector duty under the equality
act allowing people to know of this information and make use of it under
the Community Asset Transfer scheme and under the Human Rights Act Article
11 enabling the community to gather and make decisions on the allocation
of such assets.

 

Our response:

 

Thank you for your recent freedom of information request about vacant
properties and their availability for sale rent or community asset
transfer. The requested information is provided in the table below.

 

+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Property |Situation |Available for sale or|
| | |rent or community |
| | |asset transfer |
|----------------------+---------------------------+---------------------|
|27-37 High Street, |Vacant property held for |Not at this time |
| |mixed use redevelopment. | |
|Swanley, BR8 8BG |Listed as an Asset of | |
| |Community Value. | |
|  | | |
|----------------------+---------------------------+---------------------|
|Gate House, Otford |Vacant property. Future |Not at this time |
| |management arrangements of | |
|Palace, Otford, TN14 |Otford Palace (listed | |
| |Ancient Monument) of which | |
|5PD |this forms part are being | |
| |considered by the Council. | |
|----------------------+---------------------------+---------------------|
|Buildings at Timberden|Vacant farm buildings, |Not at this time |
|Farm, Shacklands Road,|planning permission applied| |
|Shoreham, TN14 7TX |for conversion to | |
| |residential premises prior | |
| |to disposal. | |
|----------------------+---------------------------+---------------------|
|WC Block, Penshurst |Closed WC block held on |Not at this time |
|Road, Penshurst TN11 |lease by Council. | |
|8BD | | |
|----------------------+---------------------------+---------------------|
|WC Block, The Row, New|Closed WC block held on |Not at this time |
|Ash Green DA3 8JB |lease by Council. | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

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