POTENTIAL buyers are already expressing interest in the Grade II listed headquarters of North Yorkshire police as work gets underway on its move.

The £7m transfer of the headquarters from the 17th century former stately home at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, where the force has operated from for 60 years is taking place within the next 18 months.

Work is now set to start on the new headquarters at Alverton Court - the former Rural Payments Agency office in Northallerton.

It will also house Northallerton police station, which is itself moving from a Grade II listed office in the town’s North End.

Chief Inspector Nick Hunter told members of North Yorkshire County Council’s Hambleton Area committee that the Northallerton police station would be based at the front of the new headquarters but it was not yet decided where the custody suites would be based.

“We are still looking at that, there are a number of options and we want to find the best one,” he said.

The Newby Wiske Hall site is too expensive and largely unsuitable for a modern force, according to Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.

The move to Northallerton is the third scheme to be put forward by the Police and Crime Commissioner. In the past three years there have been plans to build brand new headquarters costing £18m on a greenfield site at South Kilvington, near Thirsk, and an alternative plan to share headquarters with Cleveland police.

Mrs Mulligan said: “Putting Newby Wiske Hall up for sale is a very welcome step along this journey, but one with mixed emotions. It has been used by police in North Yorkshire for over 60 years, but it is right we are moving on and can look the future with confidence. I am also pleased that we are remaining in Hambleton District and will continue to support the local economy.”

Consultants Keir Property who are selling the site for the police say they have already had quite a lot of attention.

Representative Graham Tyerman said: "We are already getting interest, obviously it appeals to a certain number of people, we are collecting these and will go out for expressions of interest.”

No sale price has so far been put on the estate, the transfer to Alverton Court is due to be completed by autumn 2017.