Buyer of North Yorkshire Police HQ reveals plan to re-open grounds as education centre

The buyers of North Yorkshire Police's longstanding headquarters said they were 'delighted' as it was announced the grounds will be re-opened as an outdoor education facility next year.
Newby Wiske Hall, the Grade II listed HQ of North Yorkshire Police. 
From left, Richard Sanders from PGL, North Yorkshire Police Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan and North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dave Jones.
Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeNewby Wiske Hall, the Grade II listed HQ of North Yorkshire Police. 
From left, Richard Sanders from PGL, North Yorkshire Police Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan and North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dave Jones.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Newby Wiske Hall, the Grade II listed HQ of North Yorkshire Police. From left, Richard Sanders from PGL, North Yorkshire Police Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan and North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dave Jones. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Peter Gordon Lawrence (PGL) Travel, 'the UK's leading outdoor education provider' was announced as the buyer of Newby Wiske Hall at a conference there today (March 16).

The hall at Newby Wiske has served as the operational headquarters for the county's police force for nearly 40 years, but today Police and Crime Commissioner, Julia Mulligan, welcomed PGL 'to their new home'.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “I’m very pleased to be able announce the sale today. Back in 2012, I pledged to ensure that the people of North Yorkshire were served by a modern and responsive police force. To do this the police needed a headquarters fit for modern day policing.

"Newby Wiske Hall and its grounds are beautiful, but as a listed former stately home in a relatively remote rural location, it’s not what’s needed in this day and age and is expensive to run.

"There is of course some sadness to be leaving our home of some 40 years, but our new HQ in central Northallerton will save money over the longer term and help us modernise the way we work, ultimately improving the service to our communities.

“We had quite a few offers on the Hall and after careful consideration I have chosen a buyer who will work sympathetically with the building, have minimal impact on the environment and I believe, be a very good neighbour.

“I warmly welcome PGL to their new home.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

PGL would not reveal how much the hall had cost to purchase and said they wanted to 'liase with the local community' before discussing what their plans were for the building and its grounds.

Richard Sanders Operations Director, PGL said: “PGL is delighted to have acquired Newby Wiske Hall and we are excited by the opportunity to open a new site in North Yorkshire.

"We intend to invest in sympathetic conversion of the existing buildings to create accommodation for pupils and teachers on school trips who will take part in a wide range of adventure activities and local excursions.

"We plan to open for our first guests in spring 2018 and will create more than 100 jobs, not only instructing activities, but in catering, housekeeping, site maintenance and management roles.

"We will be pleased to share our plans in more detail at an open evening in the near future. We look forward to welcoming guests to North Yorkshire from next year.”