ROOM expansion plans by an award-winning farm B&B on the line of Hadrian’s Wall may be thrown out because of concerns over the impact on the world heritage site.
The Carraw Farm business, off the Military Road between Chesters and Housesteads forts in Northumberland, is run by Kevin and Leah Vigars.
It describes itself as “one of the finest luxury Northumberland guest houses with a sublime hilltop setting overlooking the countryside of Northumberland National Park” and sitting on the foundations of the Wall.
It has a four-star gold award from Visit Britain and offers four guest rooms named after sites along the Wall – Chesters, Brocolitia, Housesteads and Vindolanda.
The owners say that they often have to turn away business at peak times and want to build a new five-bedroom lodge.
The current rooms are part of the traditional, stone-built farm buildings which are situated on the foundations of the scheduled ancient monument.
Tomorrow Northumberland National Park development management committee will consider the plans for a cruciform-shaped lodge clad in cedar board and stone with uPVC doors and windows, with an extension to the existing car park which would provide access to visitors with disabilities.
But planners say: “The resulting design is, overall, reminiscent of a log cabin or Swiss chalet.”
Leah Vigars has written to the authority, saying: “It is a successful business often running at above 90% occupancy in the peak seasons. In fact, we often turn away business.
“This project will meet the aims of Northumberland tourism in providing high quality accommodation in an appropriate location. It will support the diversification to the existing farming business which has shaped this part of the national park.”
Several letters of support have been received for the proposal.
National park planning strategy advises that any new development in the area should be as low key as possible, should conserve the wild character of the setting of Hadrian’s Wall, and avoid urbanizing the landscape character.
It says farmsteads are characteristic of the area around the Wall and the setting for the proposed lodge has not changed substantially for over 100 years.
The proposed development site sits in a landscape typified by open moorland which is a “significant area of the national park for outdoor recreation, particularly walking, due to the attraction of Hadrian’s Wall and the outstanding long distance views.”
The Hadrian’s Wall national trail also passes to the immediate north.
The committee is being advised tomorrow to refuse the application. Planners say: “With a different approach, a development aimed at expanding the existing successful bed and breakfast business at Carraw Farm is capable of being acceptable in principle.
“However, the particular development proposal the authority has been asked to consider would have a negative impact on various aspects of the special qualities of Northumberland National Park.
“By virtue of its size, form, location and design the proposed building would have a significant negative impact on the wider location, which comprises part of a highly sensitive, protected landscape which includes Hadrian’s Wall world heritage site.”
