FOI & EIR: Access Park Records in London

Parks and Public Spaces England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

Requests for park information in London, England are generally made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). Local councils and the Greater London Authority hold records about parks, playgrounds, maintenance, contracts and environmental monitoring; they must respond to valid requests following national rules and oversight by the Information Commissioner's Office.[1] This guide explains how to make a request, what to expect in the response timeframe, typical routes to appeal and how enforcement works at the municipal level.

How to request park information

Before you apply, identify the council or body that holds the record (the borough parks team, the City of London Corporation, or the Greater London Authority). Describe the information clearly, include date ranges and formats you want, and say whether the request is under FOIA or EIR if you know it. Councils accept written requests by email or web form and may accept requests made verbally where they can be recorded.

  • Prepare a short written description of the information you want, including dates and locations.
  • Send the request to the council's FOI/EIR contact or use the authority's online form (see Resources).
  • State any preferred format for the response (electronic, spreadsheets, maps, photos).
  • Keep a copy of your request and note the date and how it was submitted.
Be specific about locations and date ranges to speed processing.

Response time and scope

Under UK rules, councils normally respond within 20 working days for FOIA and EIR requests; the time starts when the request is received by the authority that holds the information. Requests may be clarified or refused if they are too vague or would exceed cost limits under FOIA; EIR has different obligations for environmental information. Local authorities may provide partial disclosures, redactions, or direct you to published datasets if available.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and oversight are provided by the Information Commissioner's Office and, for council-level compliance, by the authority's own legal and governance teams. Official sanctioning measures such as enforcement notices, undertakings or referrals to tribunal are handled by the ICO; specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited page.[1]

If you think information has been wrongly withheld, complain first to the authority's FOI/EIR team.
  • Enforcer: Information Commissioner's Office and the local authority's FOI/EIR officer.
  • Appeals: internal review by the authority, then complaint to the ICO and, if needed, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal; time limits are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Fines/penalties: specific monetary amounts and escalation steps are not specified on the cited page; enforcement may use notices and other orders rather than fixed fines.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement notices, undertakings, disclosure orders and tribunal actions.
  • Common violations: late responses, unlawful redaction, failure to locate records; typical penalties are not specified on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

Most London authorities accept FOI/EIR requests by email or via a council web form; no single national form is required. Where a council publishes a specific request form or portal, use that channel. Fees for standard FOI requests are generally not charged except where cost limits apply; specific fee rules or published form numbers are not specified on the cited page.[1]

Check the target authority's FOI/EIR contact page for its preferred submission method before you send a request.

How-To

  1. Identify the public body holding the park records (borough parks, City of London, GLA).
  2. Draft a clear written request: say FOI or EIR, describe records, include dates and preferred format.
  3. Submit the request via the authority's FOI/EIR email or web form; keep proof of submission.
  4. Wait up to 20 working days for a response; respond to any clarification questions promptly.
  5. If refused, request an internal review, then complain to the ICO and consider tribunal appeal if necessary.

FAQ

How long will it take to get park information?
Authorities normally respond within 20 working days for FOI and EIR requests; exceptions and extensions can apply.
Do I need to pay to request information?
Standard FOI requests are usually free unless the request exceeds cost limits; specific fee rules are determined by each authority.
Can I ask for maps, photos or contracts about a park?
Yes; specify preferred formats and the council should supply available records or explain exemptions.
What if the council refuses to disclose information?
Request an internal review, then complain to the Information Commissioner's Office and consider an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

Key Takeaways

  • Requests for park records in London are handled under FOIA/EIR with a normal 20 working day response.
  • Be specific and include dates and formats to speed processing.
  • If refused, use internal review, ICO complaint and tribunal appeal routes.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Information Commissioner's Office guidance on FOI and EIR

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