Planting of Sycamore Gap sapling marks start of new £4.9m employment hub for autistic people

The North East Autism Society (NEAS) has launched the ambitious £4.9m development at New Warlands Farm, covering 78 acres, near Burnhope.

And the planting of the sapling from the world-famous tree, which was notoriously felled on its site overlooking Hadrian’s Wall two years ago, was a symbolic part of the ground-breaking ceremony.

The National Trust has donated 49 of the tree’s saplings to charities, community groups and individuals, branding them as “Trees of Hope”.

Vice Lord Lieutenant Michael Poole planted one of the saplings at New Warlands Farm to mark the start of the development, which will feature a café, farm shop, cider press, retail outlets, specialist play areas, wildlife setting and petting zoo.

Mr Poole was assisted by three young learners – Joseph Going, Keiran Halsall, and Connor Cook – who are among those to have already benefited from training opportunities on the farm.

NEAS Chief Executive John Phillipson told guests: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be at this point and to see bulldozers on the site, ready to start work.

“When this is all finished, it will be a visitor centre, where families will enjoy a day out, and a place that will change the lives of autistic and neuro-divergent people.

“We knew we had a cohort of people in our services who wouldn’t make it straight into employment, so we needed to create an environment where they were given more time, help and understanding – and this is what this farm will do.”

Mr Phillipson thanked high-profile companies which have pledged their support, including Ringtons Tea, which will train baristas for the café; Northumbrian Pantry, for which the charity will produce a 1,000 oatmeal biscuits per week; and Thatchers Cider, which is supporting the farm’s cider production using the hundreds of apple trees planted on the site.

A tribute was also paid to North East businessman and philanthropist, Sir Peter Vardy, who led a corporate fundraising drive by pledging £500,000 towards the farm development.

Mr Phillipson revealed that the idea to bid for the Sycamore Gap sapling had come from a pupil at the charity’s Thornhill Park School, in Sunderland, whose family has successfully applied for another sapling to be planted in memory of his late mother at a site called Tina’s Haven, in Seaham.

“The sapling is so symbolic because it is something that has overcome the odds to get this far – just like us as a charity. What better symbol of hope could there be?” added Mr Phillipson.

Before planting the sapling, Mr Poole said: “From the appalling act of criminal damage that felled the Sycamore Gap tree, look what has happened. The future that you have put in place here is fantastic and I will certainly be coming back to see how the development progresses.”

Connor Cook, one of the learners who helped plant the tree, said: “It is a real honour to have worked on the farm, learning new skills and meeting lots of like-minded people, and to then be asked to be involved in the ground-breaking ceremony.

“The sapling is a very significant symbol, and it will be great to come back in years to see the tree flourishing, and know we played our part.”

The farm project is being delivered for NEAS by Turner and amp; Townsend, with Mulberry Construction employed as the main contractors, and Building Design Northern as the architects.

John White, managing director of Mulberry Construction, said: “It’s a real privilege to be working on a scheme that will change lives. I will be excited to come here for site visits to see it taking shape, knowing what a difference it is going to make.”

The development is scheduled to be completed in time for the first visitors to arrive in August (2025).