NORTH Yorkshire Police has bought a £4.5 million new headquarters and will move out of its ageing current home.

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan today announced the sale has gone through on former Rural Payments Agency building Alverton Court, in Northallerton.

Ms Mulligan said: “This is another positive step forward to North Yorkshire Police, and marks another milestone in the transition in becoming a more innovative, agile and responsive police force.

"Moving from a Grade II listed stately home, costing over £1 million a year to run, into this much more practical and modern building is very welcome indeed.

She added: "Reducing the cost of North Yorkshire Police’s estate is an important part of meeting our savings targets, and frees resources which we can focus on front line policing; resources which will become increasingly scarce over the next few years.”

Alverton Court used to house the Rural Payments Agency, and is in the centre of Northallerton, six miles from the current headquarters at Newby Wiske Hall.

The move is set to cost less than £7 million, includng the purchase price of the building for £4.7 million after stamp duty, the cost of fitting out the offices, and the relocation itself.

The move should happen in late summer/early autumn 2017, after work to fit-out the building is completed.

The Alverton Court scheme should be as much as £12 million cheaper than previous plans for a new build centre at South Kilvington, and will save £4 million in running costs over 30 years compared to staying at the current Newby Wiske Hall HQ - a 17th century stately home.

Built in 1999, Alverton Court has modern facilities and good public transport links, and at only six miles from the current HQ, the move will have minimal impact on the staff,

Chief Constable Dave Jones said: “I am very pleased that the purchase of Alverton Court has been completed. The new accommodation will be much more in keeping with our needs as a modern and progressive police service.”

Newby Wiske Hall will soon go on sale, and the force is in discussion with planners at Hambleton District Council about potential uses for the site.

Leader of Hambleton District Council, Cllr Mark Robson, added: “The move into Northallerton by North Yorkshire Police will boost the district council’s ambitious plans to redevelop the prison site – where we hope to see retail, leisure, housing, business and community uses.

"The Rural Payment Agency closed at the same time as the prison and that has had an effect on the economy of the town. Both these schemes will help rejuvenate Northallerton and add to the vibrancy of our county town.

“The council also looks forward to working with North Yorkshire Police to find the best possible future use for the current Newby Wiske base.”