7th November 2025

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Subject: Formal Complaint – Stockport Council’s Handling of Information Requests and Development of a Recreation Ground

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to raise a formal complaint about the conduct of Stockport Council in relation to both its handling of information requests and its decision to develop a public recreation ground despite overwhelming local opposition.

The site in question is Harcourt Street Recreation Ground, historically designated as public open space and recreation land. Despite over 800 formal objections from local residents, the Council appears to have proceeded with development works that may contravene planning policy and local authority transparency obligations.

When residents, including myself, have sought clarification or documentation about this development under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR), Stockport Council has repeatedly dismissed such requests as “vexatious.” This has effectively prevented legitimate public scrutiny of their decision-making and deprived the community of its right to access environmental and planning information.

I believe this conduct breaches the Council’s statutory obligations under:

  • Section 1 of the FOIA (right to information);
  • Regulation 5 of the EIR (duty to make environmental information available upon request);
  • And possibly Section 77 of the FOIA if information has been deliberately withheld.

I therefore request that the Information Commissioner’s Office investigate:

  1. Whether Stockport Council has lawfully applied the “vexatious” exemption to residents’ information requests.
  2. Whether the Council has failed in its duty to provide public access to planning and environmental information relating to this development.
  3. Whether the decision-making process concerning the recreation ground meets the standards of openness and accountability required by public authorities.

Please let me know if you require copies of correspondence, objections, or refusal notices from Stockport Council—I will be happy to supply them.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. The residents affected by this issue deserve a transparent explanation and fair treatment under the law.

Yours faithfully,

Sheila Oliver
Editor, The Romiley Gazette