North York Moors park authority headquarters on schedule and within budget, say officials
Construction of the North York Moors National Park Authority’s new multi-million-pound headquarters in Helmsley is on schedule and within budget, officials say.
The new purpose-built offices at Riccal Drive are taking shape, with the main structure, roof and ground-floor stone cladding now complete.
A report to the authority’s finance, risk, audit and standards committee, which meets next week, says work is also progressing on internal walls, electrical wiring and the car parks.
The report states: “Construction continues at a pace and currently remains on schedule and within budget.”
The new headquarters will replace the authority’s existing offices at the Grade II-listed Old Vicarage in Bondgate, which have been considered unsuitable for modern working practices.
The development is intended to provide more accessible, energy-efficient accommodation, with improved meeting facilities and flexible working spaces for staff.
The authority approved the project earlier this year following a lengthy review of its property needs.
The latest report reveals that work is now taking place to agree the building’s interior design, furniture, technology and accessibility.
Automatic sliding doors have been ordered for the main entrance following discussions about accessibility, while proposals to install assisted-opening internal doors and electronic fob access have also been costed.
The authority is also planning electric bike charging points for staff and infrastructure for public e-bike chargers.
The design team is also working to ensure external lighting is compatible with the national park’s dark skies policies.
The report reveals that specialist audio-visual equipment is being designed to improve the experience for those attending meetings in person or remotely.
The latest financial assessment puts the expected project cost at £3,607,226, compared with an original budget of £3,562,000 before contingency.
The £45,226 difference is expected to be covered by contingency funding, with the overall approved budget, including contingency, standing at £4.048m.
Additional costs have included improvements to accessibility and security, electric bike facilities, drainage works and changes to the building’s electrical infrastructure.
However, officers say savings are continuing to be identified to offset some of the increases.
The authority is also working on the disposal of its existing properties.
Staff and volunteers have already moved from the former Sawmill Lane depot into a new facility, while an offer has been accepted for the old depot following a reduction in its asking price from around £260,000.
The sale price has not been disclosed.
The Old Vicarage, which has served as the authority’s headquarters for many years, was placed on the market by estate agents Cundalls last month.
It is hoped staff will move into the new headquarters next year.
The new headquarters has proved controversial, with some local residents saying it would create additional traffic along what is now a residential street.
Others have suggested the existing offices could be modernised and the savings spent helping the community affected by the Fylingdales wildfire and improving rights of way.