Plans for a multi-million pound visitor centre in Northumberland National Park have been given the go-head. The £14.8m development will be the biggest national park construction project to date.
The Sill National Landscape Discover Centre will replace the existing visitor centre, and the youth hostel currently at the site will also be demolished. The scheme was approved by Northumberland National Park Authority members after agreeing developers’ cost proposals.
The authority’s chief executive Tony Gates said: “I am delighted that we have taken the decision to proceed with this ambitious and innovative project.”
“The Sill represents the largest scale initiative of its kind, in the history of not only Northumberland National Park Authority, but national parks across the UK. Its main purpose is to open up Northumberland national park and the surrounding areas to more people, helping them learn about and explore one of Britain’s finest landscapes.”
“It will be open all year, offering a wide range of facilities including YHA accommodation, exhibition space, retail facilities and a cafe and restaurant.”
The new visitors centre is expected to be fully operational from summer 2017, and it’s predicted to bring substantial economic benefits to the region. For more information, visit: www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk
