PLANS to build a new headquarters for North Yorkshire police have been a long-running source of controversy – especially for those living in the village of South Kilvington and its surrounding communities.

North Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, included the building of the new northern base for the force in her manifesto but we today find ourselves reporting a surprising u-turn on that relatively recent election pledge.

Instead of a new purpose-built building on an eight-acre field, we now have a very different proposal.

Some staff from the crumbling Newby Wiske headquarters will share facilities with Cleveland Police at a planned community safety hub at Hemlington.

The change of heart also means that Northallerton Police Station will stay open and have its custody suite refurbished.

With the Newby Wiske building still expected to be sold, it is claimed the new plan will save the force £10m.

Especially during a time of prolonged austerity, it is right that public sector organisations work together to find more efficient ways of operating and taxpayers will, of course, welcome the news that £10m will now be saved from the original budget.

We are also delighted for the villagers who fought so hard to avoid such a large development in a rural location, albeit one with excellent road links.

On first impressions, the result appears to be a more cost-effective and flexible solution to the accommodation needs of North Yorkshire Police.

It is a reminder that, even when minds appear to have been made up, strong, democratic local campaigns can have an impact – and make authorities think harder to find a more suitable way forward.