Two motorhome spaces at The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, Bardon Mill

What was proposed

The application sought to let up to two motorhomes or campervans stay overnight in part of the existing car park, without physical works.

“DMC2025-29 APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Application No: 25NP0055 Proposed Development Change of use of part of the existing car park to a mixed use car park providing limited motorhome overnight stays for up to 2 vehicles at The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, Bardon Mill, Northumberland, NE47 7AN Applicant Name Duncan Wise on behalf of Northumberland National Park Authority Reason for DMC Decision Development by the Authority where one or more written…”

“The applicant’s agent explains in their Design and access, planning and heritage statement that the proposal would be to change the use of part of the existing car park at the south end to allow for limited overnight stays for up to 2 motorhomes and/ or camper vans. The proposal does not include any physical works in the form of layout alterations or the provision of designated car parking bays.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The Sill has 190 car parking spaces, lies in open countryside and is within the setting of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.

“The Sill Landscape Discovery Centre at Once Brewed opened to the public in July 2017, and incorporates a Youth Hostel Association (YHA) hostel. Car parking is provided in three sections on site, the top section close to the building, the middle section to the south, and further south, utilising a separate entrance, an overflow car park. A total of 190 car parking spaces are provided…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal was small-scale and would not harm landscape, heritage, tranquillity, biodiversity, amenity or highway safety.

“A temporary permission is not considered to be necessary or appropriate for this site due to the scale of the proposal, and that there are minimal concerns regarding impact on tranquillity or amenity of the area due to the activity associated with the Twice Brewed Inn during evening hours.”

“Several representations raise concerns that the proposal would result in harm to the special qualities of the national park, however as outlined in the report above, the conclusion of officers is that the proposal would not harm the special qualities of the national park including cultural heritage, landscape, tranquillity and biodiversity.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Henshaw Parish Council objected, while highways raised no objection subject to limiting the use to two campervans and Public Protection made no comment.

“A further re-consultation was sent in August after further information was submitted by the applicant, with comments received from two objectors who had already made representations. They raise the following points: • Additional information does not effectively address concerns raised before • Concerns applicant not addressed need for disposal of grey waste water • No reference to the Sill regarding provision of drinking water • Reference to correspondence between Tony…”

“NCC Highways Authority – No objections subject to a condition restricting the campervans to two. NCC Public Protection – No comments to make 4.8 Any further representations received after the publication of the agenda will be reported to committee members at the meeting. 5.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Objectors questioned waste disposal, management, lighting, heritage, highway safety, landscape effects, local business impacts and the lack of facilities.

“Waste disposal facilities are not being proposed. Where will motorhomes empty their toilet cassettes? • Difficult to manage behaviours without full time presence, relying on a sign will be ineffective • Reference to the Sandford Principle, where the statutory purposes of the national park conflict, conservation must have priority • Lack of facilities such as charging points and showers, contrary to Policy ST2 k) and l) • Principle of the proposal is contrary to policies…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two campsite representatives spoke against the proposal, while the Visitor Development and Tourism Officer spoke in support.

Members’ debate

Members discussed management, user behaviour, facilities, payment, existing activity and whether a temporary trial would provide useful evidence.

“Minutes of Development Management Committee Meeting 8 October 2025 Approved DMC Meeting 12 November 2025Page 8 of 9 would be beneficial but they would not be expected to provide supervision, and CCTV would add further value. Questions Cllr Alan Sharp noted many motorhomes currently parked in the Twice Brewed car park and he asked how the site was managed.”

“He felt there were different categories of motorhome users with lots of contradictory evidence. In having this as a temporary proposal, it would afford NNPA time to collate the relevant information. Cllr Alan Sharp accepted the proposal was for two motorhomes, although there were no water or toilet facilities and this was a concern.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted four in support, two against and one abstention on a motion for a two-year permission.

“The amended motion was presented, which was proposed by [name withheld] and seconded by Cllr Karl Green, and it was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted for two years subject to relevant conditions as voted by members; 4 in support (Cllr Karl Green, [name withheld], Cllr Len Glen-Davison, and [name withheld]), 2 against (Cllr Val Gibson and Cllr Alan Sharp), and 1 abstention (Cllr Sue Bolam).”

Minutes