Hexham MP Guy Opperman has cautioned that there are "significant complications" regarding the future plans for Sycamore Gap in Northumberland. This iconic site, located next to Hadrian's
Wall, has garnered hundreds of suggestions for its future following the felling of its beloved tree.
Opperman, a Conservative MP, explained that discussions are ongoing but emphasized that the situation is far from straightforward, primarily because the location is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. He added that, for the time being, the National Trust has secured the site and saved seeds.
The felled tree was discovered on September 28, leading Northumbria Police to launch an investigation. Two individuals—a 16-year-old boy and a man in his 60s—have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and released on bail.
Opperman noted that he has held discussions with the director general of the National Trust and Lord Parkinson, the government's culture and heritage minister, regarding the tree, which was originally planted in the late 1800s.
"We know that this tree belonged to everyone. It symbolized so much. Its loss grieves us, and affects us all in a truly unfathomable way," said Opperman, expressing gratitude to the numerous individuals who have reached out. However, he acknowledged that the situation is intricate due to the National Trust's ownership of the land and its location within Northumberland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which presents significant complications.
The felled tree has also caused damage to a section of the 1,900-year-old Hadrian's Wall, leading Historic England to plan archaeological appraisals to assess the extent of the harm.
Ongoing discussions are being held to determine the site's future and establish a mechanism for public input, as numerous suggestions have already been received. The National Trust and Northumberland National Park are preparing question and answer-style plans.
Opperman urged patience, emphasizing that the situation is not simple. The National Trust continues to advise people to stay away from the site, which gained fame as a location in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." Tributes to the fallen tree have been left at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre in Northumberland, where a dedicated room honors its memory. Photo by Policy Exchange, Wikimedia commons.