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Multimillion pound Northumberland Sill project given construction go ahead

A multimillion pound Northumberland project promising to create 100 new jobs has reached a pivotal milestone in its development phase.

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is set to be the biggest ever UK National Park construction project. Receiving the green light from the Northumberland National Park Authority Members, the £14.8m initiative is now moving forward into its construction phase.

Sir Robert McAlpine has today been announced as The Sill construction team, and will work closely alongside the core design team – including architects Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall (JDDK); planners Cundall; landscape architects Glen Kemp; interpretation designers, Bright 3D, and project managers, Gardiner and Theobold.

In keeping with the heritage and environment of Northumberland National Park’s treasured landscapes, every care and attention to detail will be taken to ensure the project lives up to its status as a building that is both inspired by the landscape and of the landscape.

Construction is set to begin at the Once Brewed site later this month, starting with demolition of the current National Park Visitors’ Centre and Youth Hostel at the site. Demolition is expected to take around six weeks. Temporary National Park visitor information and other facilities, including hot drinks, will be provided from Walltown from now, as well as the Twice Brewed Inn from the end of September.

Visitors to Twice Brewed will be able to access National Park tourist information, along with local crafts and produce previously sold at Once Brewed. During the construction period, people can also look forward to trial activities and events which will be hosted at nearby Walltown.

Working in close partnership with Northumberland County Council, Military Road speed limits have already been reduced to 40mph near to the development, in response to concerns raised by local residents and businesses, and work is currently underway to improve the junction close to the site.

Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, 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 café and restaurant. The Sill will, I believe, change how we as a National Park Authority does business and it will become a landmark asset for Northumberland and the North East.”

The construction phase alone is set to bring in more than 100 new jobs to the region each year. When The Sill is fully operational from Summer 2017, it is predicted it will deliver substantial economic benefits to the region with around £5m of additional visitor spending every year. The Sill’s Rural Growth Hub will support the development of rural enterprises, and the project will also offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

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