Environmental Information Regulations 2004

The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) give you a general right of access to all the environmental information held by the Council, providing no exceptions apply.

What is environmental information?

The definition of environmental information is very wide and includes written, electronic, visual or audio information on:

• the state of the elements of the environment - air, atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscape and natural sites, biological diversity and its components, including genetically modified organisms
• factors affecting the environment - substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste, including radioactive waste, emissions, discharges and other releases
• measures (including administrative measures) and activities affecting or designed to protect the environment - policies, legislation, plans, programmes and environmental agreements
• reports on the implementation of environmental legislation
• cost-benefit and other economic analyses and assumptions used within the framework of environmental measures and activities
• the state of human health and safety, including the contamination of the food chain, conditions of human life, cultural sites and built structures in as much as they are affected by the state of the environment, or factors, measures or activities affecting the environment

EIRs and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI)

Requests for environmental information are exempt from Freedom of Information and will instead be dealt with under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Who do the EIR regulations apply to?

The regulations apply to:

• councils, including Rushcliffe Borough Council
• the range of public bodies covered by FOI
• public utilities
• certain public private partnerships
• private companies with obvious environmental functions such as those in the water, waste, transport and energy sectors

How do I make a request?

Send you request for information to customerservices@rushcliffe.gov.uk

Will I have to pay for the information?

The regulations say that the council may charge what it considers to be a reasonable amount for providing information. To be fair and consistent the council will charge for information provided under the EIR regulations in the same way as we charge for Freedom of Information requests, with a couple of exceptions. View our charges for information.

What if I am not happy with the way my request has been dealt with?

If you’re unhappy with the way your request has been handled, or you wish to object to the Council's decision in the first instance please visit our complaints page.