Last week we met with Newcastle City Council’s senior planning officer to gather information on what the future held for Woolsington Hall and woods. We were told that there have been several informal discussions within the council and with the applicant, Cameron Hall Developments, about the future of the site and that, as far as the council is aware, work on consolidating the existing structure has begun. We were also told that there were no alternative proposals for the site. As it stands, the applicant can choose to submit an addendum to the original plans in their current format, or to submit a new application, which could be brought before the Secretary of State again if the plans for building in the green belt change in any way. The council is not obliged to ensure work is carried out within a given time frame, meaning that the hall could potentially remain in its current condition for some time. There is no apparent concern that the only report on the current heritage value of the hall was produced by the applicant, who has a vested interest in maintaining the assertion that there is still sufficient heritage value to preserve - through an enabling development. The possibility of a compulsory purchase order, which is highly unlikely, given the council’s current financial situation, would be a decision that would have to be made by the chief executive or council leader. Details of any insurance payouts will have to go before the planning committee when they consider the financial viability of the project, if the applicant chooses to go ahead with the scheme. It would appear that the ball is now well and truly in Cameron Hall’s court.