Changes to proposed new Holy Island sign near causeway after concerns raised

Natural England wants to erect a ‘Welcome to the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve’ sign on the salt marsh close to the western end of the causeway.

It does not require planning permission but needs advertisement consent from Northumberland County Council.

However, it has amended the proposed location following initial concerns raised by the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership.

AONB officer Sarah Winlow expressed concerns about the visual impact of the proposed sign. She said it was ‘not in keeping’ with the salt marsh. and would ‘break the line of the eastern horizon when viewed from the causeway road’.

To mitigate these concerns, she called for the sign to be put closer to the road and away from the curve so that it blends with the backdrop of the causeway and bridge.

Following the amendment, she said: “The re-siting of the sign is welcomed as the backdrop for the sign now will include the road, the bridge and the refuge box, rather than uniquely open landscape / seascape.”

Kyloe Parish Council raised no objection but suggested Natural England consult with landowner Rodney Smith about renewing a lease for the mainland car park.

“This would enable the blocks of concrete currently in place to close the entrance to the car park to be removed, therefore clearing the carriageway of cars parking to check the crossing times,” states clerk Sheila Henderson. “Possibly the sign could then go in the car park.”