THE Yorkshire Dales national park authority will next week consider the latest stages in the proposed sale of its centre at Reeth as plans for a new community office there go ahead.

In discussions which have been continuing since November, authority members have supported the principle of services being transferred from the existing centre to the new community office and IT centre in the former Barclays bank building, Hudson House.

The authority is one of the partners in the project to redevelop Hudson House after Barclays pulled out last year in a nationwide programme of rural branch closures.

Following a public meeting earlier this year, a team of founder trustees was established to work on the project and negotiate with Barclays to buy the property.

Trustees are preparing a business plan and applications for funding from Europe and other sources are being submitted. A community company has been set up and talks are taking place with Harewood housing association about the possibility of affordable small flats on the upper floor of Hudson House, to be rented to local people.

The property committee of the park authority has now authorised chief executive Mr David Butterworth to start making arrangements for the sale of the existing park centre.

The Department of Environment and Yorkshire Forward have confirmed that, should the existing centre be sold, they will not reclaim grants originally made for buying it and fitting it out.

They have sought assurances, however, that if capital receipts are raised from a sale, the new community office should be a major beneficiary.

Planning permission would have to be sought for any possible alternative uses, which could include shops, a cafe and domestic occupation of the top floor. It has been estimated that the authority will have to make a capital contribution of £50,000 to the new community office and a revenue contribution of £3,000 in rent. It will transfer fixtures and fittings from the existing centre and make a reception counter.

Coun Richard Good, chairman of the Hudson House trustees, said Richmondshire council would also offer services from the building, the county council would use it as a local contact, there would be access to job vacancies from the employment services and possibly visits from the citizens' advice bureau.

He added: "One of the main aims is to provide a good IT facility for Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, to provide for an after-school computer club, training courses for local people and specialist training for businesses.

"All the partners will pay either rent or fees to use the building. This is not going to be all paid for out of district or county council taxes as has been suggested.

"The future is bright for the former bank premises and we hope that, by the middle of next year, an excellent facility will be available."