Here you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about plans for both the Old Vicarage building (our current Headquarters) and plans to develop a new joint Headquarters and Ranger depot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Old Vicarage building
Why is the National Park Authority looking to relocate from the Old Vicarage?
The Old Vicarage has served as the National Park Authority’s (NPA) headquarters since the 1970s. Until 2022, the NPA occupied both this building and the building next-door at 13 Bondgate. Significant refurbishment costs to our Helmsley-based properties, increasing property operating costs and changes to the way in which the NPA operates post-Covid, all led the NPA to initiate a review of its property assets.
The Old Vicarage requires significant capital investment to ensure the long-term integrity of the property, ensure accessibility and reduce carbon emissions to meet our net-zero commitments. These investment requirements are significantly compounded by the need to completely rebuild our Helmsley Ranger depot located on Sawmill Lane. This is beyond economic repair and whilst currently safe, does not provide a sound long-term operating environment for our Rangers or volunteers.
Following Covid, ‘hybrid working’, (as embraced by many office-based staff throughout the UK), has resulted in different working practices with staff working more flexibly, including from home for some of their time. As a result, the NPA has significantly too much office space in Helmsley, despite the sale of 13 Bondgate in 2022. This creates unnecessary costs in terms of heating and lighting a building that is under-occupied. Moving to new premises provides an opportunity to save on both refurbishment costs and long-term operating costs. It also enables our officer-based staff and Ranger team based in Helmsley to come together on a single site.
The layout of the former residence with its series of relatively small rooms off narrow corridors is ill-suited to modern project-based work methods. As the NPA’s funding and therefore work programmes become more project focused, teams require an open-plan space which facilitates collaboration between a wide range of specialists. The Old Vicarage has been surveyed and its structure and listed building status means that it cannot be sufficiently altered to provide the modern office space the NPA requires.
The building has also been surveyed with a view to reducing operating costs and carbon footprint. The opportunities to adopt green technology in the Old Vicarage are limited and therefore the economic and carbon savings are restricted. There is also limited space to host the Authority’s small fleet of vehicles which will need to transition to electric vehicles with associated charging infrastructure.
The site on which the Old Vicarage sits, as well as its residential setting, is neither suitable, nor is there enough external space, to accommodate a Rangers’ depot. An alternative site is therefore required to achieve the NPA’s ambitions.
Why apply for planning consent to convert the Old Vicarage from offices to residential use?
The Old Vicarage was originally a residence and sits within the residential area of Bondgate. Reverting to its former residential use acknowledges its heritage and will undoubtably be a more sensitive neighbour particularly in terms of noise and activity as well as removing staff cars parked on adjacent roads.
As with all applications to change the use of a Listed building, it is necessary to submit a plan for its conversion to show viability. We acknowledge that a specialist developer will carefully consider the optimum scheme design for the conversion of the site which may require an amendment to the Application.
Why can the National Park Authority decide on its own planning applications?
It is often the case in the UK that a Planning Authority is both the party submitting the planning application and the party who is responsible for determining the Application. Where this occurs, there are recognised standard procedures outlined in law, which ensure that due process is followed. This is dealt with through the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992.
Will the route enjoyed by pedestrians between Bondgate and Carlton Lane be retained?
The NPA owns a section of this route, north of Bondgate to its boundary with Yorkshire Housing at Elmslac Close and has never prevented pedestrian access over its driveway. Though the route is not designated as a public right of way, the Authority is aware of the keen interest amongst residents to protect public access, which is something that we support and will seek to secure for the long-term. If the Old Vicarage were to come under new ownership, this history of pedestrian access would be inherited. If the Old Vicarage undergoes any significant redevelopment, access may need to be interrupted for a time during building work to ensure public health and safety.
Where can I find details of the planning application for the Old Vicarage?
The plans to revert the Old Vicarage back to residential use were approved by the National Park's Planning Committee in September 2024. Full details of the applications can be found on the Planning Explorer pages of the National Park Authority’s website. Application numbers NYM/2024/0413 and NYM/2024/0416.
Questions about plans for a new building
Why apply for planning consent to build on land off Riccal Drive?
The NPA has considered a wide range of options from relocating to other local authority buildings, other towns on the outskirts of the National Park and renting from private landlords. However, it was very difficult to find a site which accommodated both Rangers and office staff, and all other options required the National Park to move out of Helmsley. Helmsley has been home to the NPA for 50 years and its location has become central to its operation. The Authority also recognises the financial benefits to the town through its relationships with local tradespeople and businesses and our staff also contribute positively to the local economy. It was also important to our Board Members that the NPA continued to support, and to be a part of, Helmsley’s development and continued success.
From the mid-1990s onwards a plot of land south of Storey Close was developed and leased by English Heritage who use the current storage buildings as their Archaeological Stores. In 2015, the Helmsley Local Plan (2014-2027) was adopted after significant local consultation. One element of that plan was the designation of this land for business and industrial development. A local plan is a fundamental part of decision making in the planning system providing certainty and clarity to developers and the public about how a place will develop in a consistent and structured way over an agreed period of time. Land allocated for a specific use in a local plan such as housing, education or business use is in effect the same as granting outline planning permission for that use and is an acknowledgement by the local planning authority that the principle of that use is acceptable.
In 2023 the NPA purchased the plot of land adjacent to English Heritage together with the Old Print Works and Signal Box.
The NPA is confident that this new site successfully addresses the challenges presented by the current property holdings: a new facility can be designed to meet the specific operational ambitions of the NPA, the site enables all staff to work in a single location and the energy savings inherent in an ecologically sound design will enable the NPA to significantly reduce its utility bills as well as its carbon footprint.
How will traffic be affected by the proposed relocation?
There will be no net increase in the number of vehicles coming into Helmsley and a significant reduction in vehicles travelling along Bondgate, Pottergate, Ryegate, Station Road, Carlton Lane and Sawmill Lane. Staff vehicles currently parked in busy residential streets around the Old Vicarage would be relocated to a purpose-built car park.
Blue Badge parking will also be accommodated at the new site, something which has been difficult to offer at the Old Vicarage.
Travel was considered as part of the development of the Helmsley Plan with access being considered suitable for the planned residential and employment use on land adjacent to Riccal Drive. It is acknowledged that there will be additional vehicular movements on Riccal Drive, but a number of measures will be put in place to manage this, including a lower speed limit. A Travel Plan and Transport Statement are provided as supporting document with the Planning Application. The NPA strongly encourages active and shared travel amongst employees, and designs for the new building factor in covered bike storage and showering/changing facilities.
Will there be any benefits to the local community?
Accessibility into and around the Old Vicarage has been very restrictive to any staff or members of the public with any mobility constraints. A new building would provide single level access to the Committee Room, a meeting room for appointments with staff and for access to the public historic and planning records.
Subject to planning consent and conditions, the intention is to improve the informal access route running between Riccal Drive and the old railway station platform, linking with the public right of way adjacent to the Old Station. Improving the accessibility of this path will remove the necessity for many who have to walk along the busy main road into town.
Where can I find details of the planning application for the new proposed headquarters?
The application for a new HQ and Ranger depot on land adjacent to Riccal Drive was approved by North Yorkshire Council’s Area Planning Committee in January 2025. You can view the documents by searching for case number ZE24/04403/MFUL
An application for variation to the original planning conditions was submitted in September 2025, to allow for amendments to the design, reduction in the size of the building, along with re-location of cycle storage, increase in soft landscaping and provision of disabled parking. You can view the associated documents by searching for case number ZE25/00995/73M