WORK to transform a former church into office space has been given the go-ahead.

Zetland Estates has been given planning permission to transform the former United Reformed Church, in Dundas Street, Richmond, North Yorkshire, and its associated parish rooms and school, into an office development, to be known as Zetland Square.

Once completed, the development will provide four offices, with one already lined up for a banking and finance software firm.

Work on the 6,500sq ft development is already under way, and is expected to be completed by Easter next year.

Spokesman for Zetland Estates, Phil Upton, said: "Work is under way to convert the three buildings into four offices, with associated car parking for around ten cars.

"The church itself will be turned into two offices, with the church becoming one, and the vestry at the rear becoming a second.

"We already have a software development company lined up to take some of the space, but until they have signed on the dotted line, I don't really want to say any more about what they do."

He added: "They anticipate employing around seven staff at first, with expansion plans taking that up to 22 within two years.

"The plan is to turn the development into one of the most prestigious office addresses in Richmond."

The development in Richmond is the latest project for Zetland Estates, which is turning Aske Hall into a premier business location in North Yorkshire.

The stables building at the hall has been converted into business accommodation, housing 17 companies.

That was followed by the conversion of the derelict riding school into office space.

That venture was opened by Middlesbrough's Brazilian midfielder Juninho in May.

Mr Upton said: "The Richmond project is the next scheme put forward by Zetland Estates.

"However, work will continue on the estate in Aske itself, with plans to create a caf bar, known as the Garden Rooms, under way.

"We have just put the contract out to tender, and hopefully work will start on that project early in the new year. We have already signed up a catering firm to take the project forward, once building work is completed."

Meanwhile, plans are in the pipeline to turn the former smithy on the estate, currently used as meeting rooms, into a hair and beauty salon.

Published: 18/11/2003