Expansion of tourism business in Northumberland National Park

The plans include converting three buildings into a bunkhouse with six en-suite rooms, the renovation of a former function hall into a café with kitchen and bar facilities, a new on-site shop and an outdoor seating and children’s play area.

Planning has also been approved to create eight new glamping units in the form of static tents, yurts, tipis and geodesic domes which will be supported by a new bathing block and parking area.

The business currently provides holiday-let accommodation through four lodges which can sleep up to six.

Located just a 15-minute walk from the centre of Bellingham, the site, formerly known as Brown Rigg School, covers ten hectares. It was constructed by the National Camps Corporation in 1938 and later used as Second World War evacuee accommodation and then as a county council boarding school for outdoor education until its closure in the 1980s.

Tony Gates, chief executive at the Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “This is an exciting sustainable tourism development which will make a positive contribution to the rural economy.

“The plans submitted by Brown Rigg Lodges provide new and varied accommodation opportunities for visitors to stay and enjoy the special qualities of our National Park.

“The new glamping units will complement existing accommodation in the local area and the scheme also plays an important role in protecting the history and legacy of the site by giving redundant school buildings a new lease of life.

“The conversion is set to ensure their preservation and enable an established rural business to expand which will also benefit the trade of other businesses in the area.

“During 2016, Northumberland National Park Authority has approved 96 per cent of all planning applications. We are committed to supporting the sustainable growth of rural communities within the National Park, while safeguarding the environment and historic character of the landscape.”