Council relocation plans discussed

Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee has backed plans to transform a former school site into a new head office.

Its existing offices have been deemed unfit for purpose, and the relocation will see it move to some of the former Richmond Lower School’s buildings, which became vacant when the lower and upper schools moved to the same site.

It will be discussed at a special council meeting on Thursday. The project would also provide space for voluntary groups and a school banqueting hall would be used by the community and businesses.

Coun John Blackie, council leader, said: “The district council has been operating out of hugely sub-standard buildings across several sites for many years, making us very inefficient.

“Importantly the scheme would be cost neutral for the council with the cost of buying and refurbishing the lower school covered by the sale of its existing buildings - Frenchgate House, Swale House and Friars Wynd.”