Development timeline


Date Timeline event
2022 Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Park Authority sells one of its two Helmsley office buildings
2023 The National Park Authority purchases a plot of land adjacent to the English Heritage storage units located off Riccal Drive in Helmsley. Also included in the purchase is the derelict Old Print Works building and the old signal box
2023 Architects Bowman Riley appointed to help develop plans for a new National Park Headquarters and Authority Depot on the site
Feb 2024 National Park representatives attend a Helmsley Town Council meeting to talk about the new development and the plans for the Old Vicarage
May 2024 Drop-in sessions held to allow residents of Helmsley and the wider community to view and provide feedback on the initial designs for a combined new Headquarters and Authority Depot. 
July 2025 Drop-in sessions held to provide an additional opportunity for residents of Helmsley and the wider community to view plans to convert the Old Vicarage into residential dwellings
Sept 2024 Plans to revert the Old Vicarage back to its former residential use are approved by the National Park's Planning Committee
Oct 2024 The application to build a new combined Headquarters and Authority Depot is submitted to North Yorkshire Council for planning permission
Dec 2025 The application for a new combined Headquarters and Authority Depot is 'deferred' by North Yorkshire Council’s Area Planning Committee
Jan 2025 The application for a new combined Headquarters and Authority Depot is approved by North Yorkshire Council’s Area Planning Committee
June 2025 National Park Authority Members vote to relocate the Authority Depot to the Old Print Works off Riccal Drive. Plans for the new Headquarters are amended to remove the previously adjoined Depot from the designs, and this variation to planning approval is submitted to North Yorkshire Council
Sept 2025 Work begins on the Old Print Works in Helmsley, including replacement of asbestos roof and concrete cladding and reduction in overall size of building.
Jan 2026 National Park Authority Members vote in favour of building the new headquarters, marking a major milestone in a four-year review of the Authority’s property portfolio.
March 2026The Authority's existing Ranger Depot on Sawmill Lane in Helmsley  is listed for sale.
April 2026Work to turn the Old Print Works into the Authority Depot is complete, but awaiting utility connections for power and water.

Preparation works for the new Headquarters site have also been completed, with site hoarding in place.
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