The number of call-in requests to the national planning casework unit is rising daily. But there is still no word on when a decision will be made. This gives us more time to encourage everyone to write to the Secretary of State. If you haven't already done so, please send the below email to sajid.javid@communities.gsi.gov.uk with an open copy to npcu@communities.gsi.gov.uk and info@savenewcastlewildlife.co.uk In the meantime, we have asked Newcastle City Council to confirm the likely timescale for completion of the legal agreement for the application, and for two weeks written notice in advance of any decision notice. __________________________________ Dear Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Re: Newcastle City Council – Planning Application 2017/0666/01/OUT Newcastle Great Park I am writing to you in your capacity as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to request call-in of the above major planning application, which conflicts with national policy on Green Belts, as set out in Section 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Section 38 (6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) requires planning applications to be determined in accordance with the local development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. This application contravenes Newcastle and Gateshead Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan and the Master Plan for development in Newcastle Great Park. There are no material considerations to outweigh the development plan allocation and the clear harm caused by the proposals. Furthermore, there are no very special circumstances to justify inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and the proposals would result in substantial harm to the Green Belt and biodiversity. Newcastle City Council has also misinterpreted Paragraph 74 of the NPPF and the extant development plan policy for open space protection. Such misinterpretation of local and national policy could set a dangerous precedent for the inappropriate change of use of parkland elsewhere, which would prohibit public access to the detriment of local communities. I therefore request you call in this application for your own determination. Yours sincerely, {INSERT NAME}