Freedom of information: public access to information held by Ordnance Survey

Information available | The role of Ordnance Survey | How to access information
Complaints and appeals procedure | Formats and fees | FOI enquiries log

Welcome to the publication scheme

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 asserts the right of individuals to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the need to protect legitimate confidential information.

Ordnance Survey currently makes information routinely available to the public about its functions, activities and schemes. Such information will continue to be available without the need to use the FOIA. This guide highlights, in relation to our activities, where information of this nature is available.

The FOIA is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies that is not routinely available from other sources. Access to information under the FOIA is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits, which are outlined in the How to access information section.

How to access information

This guide provides information on the structure and activities of the Ordnance Survey to assist you in accessing information both outside and under the FOIA. One of the aims of the FOIA is that public authorities should be clear and proactive about the information they will make public. Central to this is the preparation of publication schemes, setting out:

the classes of information we publish or intend to publish;
the manner in which they will be published; and
whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.

While the FOIA creates a general right of access to information, it also sets out 23 exemptions. For most of these we have to decide whether we will override the exemption because it is in the public interest to release the information. However, for the exemption Commercial interests Ordnance Survey will not be disclosing information considered to be commercial in confidence. For more information on these areas use the links below.

If having searched the scheme you cannot find what you are looking for, How to access information explains how and where to make a request for items not covered by our publication scheme.

How to access information

The scheme refers to all kinds of information, which we publish both for internal and external use. Publication does not refer solely to printed material. It also includes information in other formats, such as electronic documents.

The classes in the scheme are based on information type, which should be meaningful to users, and no knowledge of our organisational structure is required to navigate around the scheme.

Any comments, suggestions or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Data Protection Liaison Officer, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, SO16 4GU, or email RecordsManagement@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Information Asset Register (IAR)

Ordnance Survey holds vast quantities of information, including databases, collections of statistics and research. The government is committed to making its services and information resources accessible to all, and therefore all government department information is held within a searchable database called the Information Asset Register.
To search these records and find out more about the IAR simply visit Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) web site.

HMSO web site