EIR_22-349 Asbestos

Date of response:  22 December 2022

We have now considered your request of 28 November 2022 for the following information:  

Please provide us with any documents or records which you hold in relation to asbestos at the University. This includes the following types of document; 

1. Reports 

2. Inspections 

3. Memoranda 

4. Registers 

5. Surveys 

6. Site Plans 

In particular, we request documents or records relating to the constructions of UEA from 1960 to 1976. 

We note on your archives a document named Blue asbestos with the reference JH/PUB/3/11. Please could kindly give us access to this document in addition to our request. 

Our response: 

Unfortunately, on this occasion it is not possible for us to provide you with an electronic copy of all reports, inspections, memoranda, registers, surveys and site plans relating to asbestos (including blue asbestos) for the specified period 1960 to 1976 in electronic form.     

To explain our position, although the University was formally approved in 1960, it did not open to students until 1963 and at that time was in a different location to the current campus. The outline plan for the current campus was not revealed until 1963 and the first buildings opened in 1966. It is, therefore, the case that there are no plans that could date from 1960 as the University was not in existence at that time. We will refer to 1966 for the remainder of this response, as the date that the first buildings on the current campus were opened. 

The University campus is a large estate covering several acres. Between 1966 and 1976 the University enlarged the estate and developed the site, and has continued to do so in more recent years.   During this period all the types of records you are requesting, including those relating to asbestos and blue asbestos, would have been processed and held as hard copies, as there was no electronic system for managing such information.  The information described has not been digitised since then and is stored in its original format in a secure antiquated hardcopy archive system.     

We have investigated the matter by speaking to the Asbestos Manager and our Estates colleagues to investigate whether it would be possible and realistic for us to provide you with the documents electronically, however, we do not have plans to digitise the records, and due to the number of hard copy records we hold, and the period of time and scope of the request, would be unable to so within the time allowed under regulation 12(4)(b) of the Regulations.   

Whilst we are unable to provide this information in an electronic format for the reasons outlined, in accordance with regulation 6 of the Environmental Information Regulations we can still assist you with your request by making this archive accessible in its original hard copy form.  We invite you to view the information requested at a convenient time for you.   Should you wish to make an appointment to view our estate archive please contact us at foi@uea.ac.uk and we will arrange a suitable date and time for you to meet with one of our Estates colleagues to view this information.