THE largest single county police force in England has sealed a £4.7m deal to buy a huge town centre office block, ending years of speculation over the location of its new headquarters.

North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said the purchase of 54,720sq ft Alverton Court, which used to house the Rural Payments Agency, had been completed.

The total cost of the six-mile move from its headquarters since 1976 at Newby Wiske Hall, a crumbling grade II listed property, to the modern Alverton Court premises is estimated to be under £7m, which includes the purchase price of the building, the cost of fitting out the offices, and the relocation.

North Yorkshire Police hopes to move into its new base in late summer/early autumn 2017, after work to fit-out the building is completed. It is understood the building could accommodate more than 400 staff, but decisions about some of the departments that will be based there have yet to be made.

The move to Northallerton is expected to cost £12 million less than the force's previous plan to relocate to South Kilvington, near Thirsk, which was abandoned last year with Mrs Mulligan saying she no longer believed it would represent value for money.

The move will also save more than £4 million over 30 years in running costs compared to staying at Newby Wiske. Constructed in 1999, Alverton Court offers modern facilities and good public transport links. The force selected the site because it is just six miles from its current base, so there will be minimal impact on the workforce, but it will be cheaper to run than Newby Wiske Hall.

The hall will be put up for sale as soon as is practicable, and the force remains in discussion with planners at Hambleton District Council about potential uses for the site.

Mrs Mulligan, who revealed her wish to move the headquarters from the village before being elected, said: “This is another positive step forward to North Yorkshire Police, and marks another milestone in the transition in becoming a more innovative, agile and responsive police force.

"Moving from a Grade II listed stately home, costing over £1m a year to run, into this much more practical and modern building is very welcome indeed.

"Reducing the cost of North Yorkshire Police’s estate is an important part of meeting our savings targets, and frees resources which we can focus on front line policing; resources which will become increasingly scarce over the next few years.”

Chief Constable Dave Jones added the new accommodation would be much more in keeping with the needs of the force. Community leaders said the deal signalled a significant boost to the county town's economic future.

Leader of Hambleton District Council, Councillor Mark Robson, said the force's move would bolster the authority's plan to redevelop the former Northallerton Prison site, where it hopes to develop retail, leisure, housing, business and community uses.

He said: "The Rural Payment Agency closed at the same time as the prison and that has had an effect on the economy of the town.

"Both these schemes will help rejuvenate Northallerton and add to the vibrancy of our county town.

“The council also looks forward to working with North Yorkshire Police to find the best possible future use for the current Newby Wiske base.”