Councillors agree sale of former Hambleton District Council offices

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive committee have agreed to dispose of the civic centre at Stone Cross in Northallerton, the former headquarters of Hambleton District Council.

The building is set to be sold for an undisclosed fee described as “significant” by council chiefs.

The council decided the offices were not needed following the launch of the unitary council in 2023 and the relocation of customer service facilities to the Treadmills site in the town centre.

Councillors voted unanimously to progress the sale of the building to an unnamed care home operator at the meeting on Tuesday.

Gareth Dadd, deputy leader of the council, said the sale was the first major capital disposal by the unitary authority.

He added: “It is providing not just a strong capital receipt but, once we take into account the new costs from the new location of the customer service centre, we’re looking at net £150,000 to £200,000 I would suggest, in revenue savings through us moving out of that particular building.

“It’s also provided a better customer service experience, as well as underpinning the new Treadmills site with increased footfall.

“All in all, it’s a win, win, win, and we should not be hesitant in approving the disposal of that particular asset.”

Councillor Mark Crane, executive member for open to business, also spoke in favour of the sale.

“As a unitary authority, it’s clearly wrong that we’ve got two large offices in the same town.

“This is a good news story whichever way you look at it.

“We’ve got a financial recompense for the sale of the building, but also we’re spending £150,000 to £200,000 less per year on upkeep of that building.

“We look forward to seeing who is the successful bidder and what they will do with that building in the future.”

The back-office services that previously operated from Stone Cross have been mainly relocated to County Hall in Northallerton, officials say.

The building was put up for sale earlier this year with the negotiations led by the council’s property consultancy, Align Property Partners.

The sale will not affect the adjacent leisure centre or the former caretaker’s property which are located next to the disused building.