NORTH Yorkshire’s controversial new police headquarters could be built in the next four to five years, it has been revealed.

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan today (Monday, March 25) threw open the doors of the Grade II listed Newby Wiske headquarters near Northallerton to the press to show the problems maintaining the 330-year-old building poses for the 430 staff.

“It’s like the Forth road bridge, it is never ending," said Mrs Mulligan. 

"One has to question whether a police force should be maintaining a listed building. We need to find a new solution for a modern police force.”

Police Estates Officer Julie McMurray who is in charge of the new building project said Newby Wiske costs £1m a year to maintain.

She said:”It isn’t fit for purpose.

"We have under-utilisation and we don’t have a clean and stable power supply. It is not the right thing in the right location.”

She said moving would take between four and five years including two years for a new building.

Consultants are being brought in to help with a £150,000 evaluation to find a new site in the Thirsk/Northallerton area either for a purpose built HQ, or part new building on an existing site. It is due to report in July.

Sites on new estates including the Sowerby Gateway, near Thirsk, and the North Northallerton Development have been seen as potential locations for the new HQ, which would also include a replacement for Northallerton police station and its outdated custody suite.

But Mrs Mulligan refused to comment on exactly where the force is looking, adding: "There are commercial sensitivities, we don’t want to disadvantage ourselves.”

She said one of the most important aspects was working with new technology and “prioritising bobbies over buildings”.

Mrs Mulligan would also not comment on the budget available, but said:”We have the money. North Yorkshire police force is in a good financial position because of prudent planning.”

The existing building dates back to 1684 with major work carried out in 1829 and in 1949 when it was bought by the Home office for £13,000 as a police training centre.

It was transferred to North Yorkshire Police in 1976 and has been developed with several new buildings and conversions. It is set in 34 acres of parkland with a lake and woodland.