Seven months ago we submitted a request to Newcastle City Council for information on future plans for Woolsington Hall and estate. Our request was refused, under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR), on the grounds that it was too vague. After an internal review into its decision to withhold information, Newcastle City Council concluded it was right to refuse our request. Following this decision, we sought advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO has examined the information relating to our request and the manner in which it was handled and has concluded that the council incorrectly applied a restriction on this information. The council must now provide us with the requested information or issue a valid refusal notice without relying on regulation 12(4)(c) of the EIR, which is used if a request is made in too vague or general a manner – which ours was not. In the meantime, we have been informed that the planning committee will no longer be meeting on Friday 21st October. It is understood that the amended application will now be considered on 1st November, but this date may change. Thank you to everyone who has already written to the Secretary of State asking for the application to be reconsidered.