IWLRC: Data requests

IWLRC offers an enquiry service, also known as a Data Request Service. The information that is provided is accompanied by explanatory notes and definitions of terminology used.

Information is made available in accordance with an agreed Data Access Policy which conforms to the seven Data Exchange Principles promoted by the National Biodiversity Network Trust.

IWLRC can provide the following information

Maps showing statutory and non-statutory nature conservation site boundaries.
Lists detailing species records.
Maps showing habitat distributions.

Further details of the data held by IWLRC and a list of contacts for other sources of information in the Isle of Wight are available from the links below:

Information held by IWLRC

Isle of Wight County Recorder list

A charge may be made based on the reasonable costs of supplying the data. For more information on charges see charging policy.

Make a Data Request

Before submitting a data request it is important that you read and understand the following guidance notes

Where possible, please download and complete a Data Request Form (Word doc) or Data Request Form (pdf) and email your form, along with any associated digital maps or Arcview GIS shapefiles defining your search area to lrc@iow.gov.uk

If you wish to print off the form and send a hard copy map by post, please send to Isle of Wight Local Records Centre, c/o Lucy Temple, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2QS

Please note: IWLRC only holds and distributes ecological information. It is not in a position to be able to comment specifically on the likely impact of any developments or construction proposals. If enquirers require such advice they should contact the local planning authority, local authority Ecology Officer, Natural England or the Planning Officer at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Charges

IWLRC reserves the right to charge a fee to commercial organisations based on the reasonable costs for staff to extract, process and supply the data to the enquirer. This is not a charge for the data itself. Please contact us before submitting a request if you are unsure whether charges will apply.

Please note: The current hourly rate is £120 per hour plus VAT effective from 1st April 2017 to cover staff costs and to re-direct a proportion of the income received to the local Species Recording Groups in recognition of the valuable data they contribute. For some of the rarer, more sensitive species, data requesters will be forwarded to the relevant species group where more detailed information can be obtained.

A typical information request covering up to a 2km radius from a supplied grid reference, comprising maps of statutory and non-statutory sites and lists of protected/notable species, will take on average between 1 and 2 hours. Enquiries covering smaller areas, or requiring less information, will typically take less time and will therefore incur smaller charges. There is a minimum charge of £120/hour plus VAT per enquiry, unless no relevant data exists within the search area, when the fee will be waived.

Response times and estimates

IWLRC endeavours to supply all information within the timescales imposed by the Environmental Information Regulations (15 working days of receiving a completed information request form). Estimates of the cost to supply data will be provided. We aim to provide estimates within 5 working days of receiving a completed Information Request Form, and once confirmation to proceed has been received the data will normally be supplied within 10 working days of this confirmation unless otherwise agreed.