£11m plans to build a visitor centre at Hadrian's wall

After months of extensive public consultation and refinement, The Sill project have produced the final design concepts for Northumberland's new Landscape Discovery Centre, an £11.2m visitor centre which could be built near Hadrian's Wall.

Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Ltd were selected earlier this year by Northumberland National Park and the Youth Hostels Association to explore concepts for the new multi-million pound landmark building, which would replace the existing facilities at Once Brewed near Steel Rigg on Hadrian's Wall.

Plans to build a £11.2m visitor centre at Hadrian's wall could take another step forward today.

Councillors are meeting to discuss plans for a new facility at Bardon Mill in Northumberland. If approved, building work could start in summer 2015.

The landmark building design, The Sill, is named after the Great Whin Sill bedrock which crosses the landscape of Northumberland National Park.

The Sill promises to "transform how people engage with, experience and learn about landscapes and conservation, and aims to encourage visitors from all backgrounds to discover the inspiring landscapes and heritage of Northumberland National Park and beyond."

With 1,700 people inputting their ideas and feedback, the designs have been drawn up in consultation with partners, the public and expert architects.

The building will be shaped to reflect the undulating contours of the Whin Sill landscape, with roof lights echoing Hadrian's Wall glacial lakes.

The latest concepts incorporate the UK's first 'Whin vegetation roof' created from Northumberland's rare Whin Sill grassland and native plants found in Northumberland National Park.

Plans to build a £11m visitor centre at Hadrian's wall could take another step forward today.

Councillors are meeting to discuss plans for a new facility at Bardon Mill in Northumberland. If approved, building work could start in summer 2015.