Last week we wrote to Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell to express our concerns about tree felling at Woolsington. She has written on our behalf to Newcastle City Council officials to ask for an investigation into the alleged breach of planning conditions. Newcastle City Council’s planning enforcement officer has advised that a site visit was made on 29th November. We are awaiting an update. Below is a copy of the correspondence to Catherine McKinnell. _____________________________________________________ ‘Dear Catherine McKinnell, Please see below for recent correspondence with Newcastle City Council regarding tree felling at Woolsington Woods. The senior planning officer overseeing the applications has now confirmed conditions had not been submitted to the council and that an enforcement case would be opened to handle what appears to be a breach of planning conditions. If there were any doubts about the integrity of the applicant in adhering to the conditions relating to the application, then surely this confirms them. It is understood the council’s enforcement powers are discretionary, however, the NPPF states that effective enforcement is important as a means of maintaining public confidence in the planning system and local planning authorities should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control. In 2007, Newcastle City Council considered a compulsory purchase order on Woolsington Hall, in view of the applicant’s persistent neglect of the property. The council had great difficulty obtaining agreement from the applicant to make the hall wind and watertight. We are now concerned the council will be faced with a similar situation, by which it may have difficulty enforcing planning conditions. We have received considerable correspondence asking if such a breach of planning conditions is sufficient to prevent the controversial scheme from going ahead. We very much hope you can see to it that this issue, which relates to proposals of national significance, is handled in an appropriate manner. Thank you for your consideration.’