Historical Mapping (FOI221112)

This Freedom of Information request asks for historical mapping between 1955 and 1961

Request for information - Ref no: FOI221112

February 22, 2023

Information request

Thank you for your letter of 22 October 2022, and your letter of 4 November 2022, both requesting the same information from Ordnance Survey in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000, as set out in the extract below:

Will you confirm or deny that the Ordnance Survey has copyrighted mapping of XXXXX of XXXXXXX which records that number XXXX was originally attached to number XXXX between 1955 and 1961.

As your letter of 22 October and 4 November 2022 are requesting the same information the response has been dealt with under the same request, that is FOI-22-1112.

Our response

I confirm that Ordnance Survey does not hold the information you have requested. This is because we do not hold historical mapping between 1955 to 1961 to be able to confirm whether or not XXXXXX was attached to XXXXX at that time.

However, under the duty to provide information and assistance in accordance with section 16 of FOIA, we can provide the following information which may assist you in this matter.

You may wish to contact The National Archives (TNA) in the first instance as OS transferred its historical mapping to TNA for archiving. Details on how to contact TNA can be found on their website or alternatively their address is The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU (Tel: 020887673444).

The National Archives may hold historical copies of maps/plans for the period you request, along with records of items which may be held elsewhere such as the Libraries and Archives departments of:

Lancashire County Council, information on how to contact them is available on their website and their address is County Hall, Fishergate, Preston, PR1 8XJd.

Liverpool City Council, information on how to contact them can be found on their website and their address is Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, Merseyside.

Historical mapping is mapping that no longer reflects the situation on the ground at the time of the last survey. OS website provides useful information on historical mapping, where you can buy it and information that is accessible in various archives.

Next steps

Internal review

If you are unhappy with our response, you may request an internal review with our Internal Review Officer by contacting them, within two months of receipt of our final response to your request, as follows:

Internal Review Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
Southampton
SO16 0AS

Please include the reference number above. You may request an internal review where you believe Ordnance Survey has:

Failed to respond to your request within the time limits (normally 20 working days)
Failed to tell you whether or not we hold the information
Failed to provide the information you have requested
Failed to explain the reasons for refusing a request
Failed to correctly apply an exemption or exception

The Internal Review Officer will not have been involved in the original decision. They will conduct an independent internal review and will inform you of the outcome of the review normally within 20 working days, but exceptionally within 40 working days, in line with the Information Commissioner’s guidance.

The Internal Review Officer will either: uphold the original decision, provide an additional explanation of the exemption/s applied or release further information, if it is considered appropriate to do so.

Appeal to Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

If, following the outcome of the internal review you remain unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal, within three months of receiving our response, with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You should make complaints to the ICO within six weeks of receiving the outcome of an internal review.

Visit the ICO website to report a concern.

Call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.

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See our previous responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

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