We now have well over 400 signatures on the petition – so many thanks to everyone who has signed so far. The good news is that the Council appear to be listening. They have refused Acorn's request to allow the conversion from offices to flats as a permitted development. (The reason they have given for refusal is that this is a “local government building” rather than “offices”). The Council are apparently confident that Acorn will not appeal this decision, in which case they will need to submit a full planning application which will be referred to the Planning Committee. We hope the Council are right. However we are still seeking an answer from the Council as to why they will not make an “Article 4 direction” which would give the area full protection from the permitted development rules. Finally we would stress that all we are asking for here is the right to fight our corner. If we succeed we will still need to campaign to ensure a sympathetic development and the fullest possible archaeological investigation of the site.