Woolsington Hall blaze calls development case into question
After news that Woolsington Hall has largely burned down following a fire last night, Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for a full investigation of the circumstances by the police, fire service, and the local authority. The Grade II listed building has been "at risk" for many years, with the then Lib-Dem run council initiating formal enforcement action in 2008 against Sir John Hall, the property's owner, for allowing it to fall into a serious state of disrepair. In latter years, it has been at the centre of controversy as a result of Cameron Hall's redevelopment plans to convert the building into an upmarket hotel complex which purported to require significant "enabling development" of luxury housing on greenfield land and the loss of important wildlife habitat at Woolsington Woods. Despite considerable local opposition the Secretary of State recently upheld Newcastle City Council's decision to grant planning permission contrary to the Local Plan. Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition
