Why is the front door of Woolsington Hall standing wide open? The Grade II listed building is on the Heritage at Risk register as category D which identifies “slow decay, solution agreed but not yet implemented”. Historic England’s guidance clearly states that regular building security checks of vacant buildings are necessary to avoid damage; guidance which is clearly not being adhered to by the owners. Surely if Cameron Hall Developments Ltd had any real intent to restore the property they should, at the very least, make an effort to close the front door as the building stands vacant? A recent strategy drawn up by the North East Culture Partnership to ensure people in the North East have regular access to cultural experiences makes an even stronger case for preserving the hall – which has a rich history - for public benefit. Perhaps a compulsory purchase order to save the property from neglect could have made Woolsington Hall and grounds a jewel in the region’s cultural crown. The extensive grounds are set out in Capability Brown style; particularly fitting as next year represents the 300th anniversary celebrations of his birth. Additionally, several members of the public with considerable experience in landscape management and professional qualifications in arboriculture have now commented on the pre-development tree survey of the trees in the Woolsington estate and highlighted that a proper tree survey requires several visits, ideally in each season of the year to gain a proper knowledge of the wood. An arboricultural survey of trees on the Woolsington Hall estate was undertaken between November 2013 and February 2014 – clearly not in each season of the year. Such concerns over the lack of an authoritative report further highlight the need for a public inquiry. Meanwhile, the petition is continuing to grow. Dr Robert Macfarlane, whose book Landmarks was nominated for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, is the latest high-profile signatory to add his name to the Save Woolsington Woods petition. Others who have endorsed the campaign by signing or spreading the word on social media include author and political activist George Monbiot, RSPB chief executive Mike Clarke, Guardian natural history writer and author Patrick Barkham and ex-RSPB conservation director Mark Avery. There is still no word on when a final decision on the applications will be made.