(Image: NYMNPA)
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Search the Public Notice PortalWORK has started on controversial new headquarters for the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA).
Leeds-based Dudleys Consulting Engineers has commenced work on site to deliver a new £3.3 million headquarters office and rangers’ depot for the NYMNP at Helmsley.
The new facility will bring the Authority’s existing premises together in one base for the team serving local communities and helping to protect the North York Moors.
However, the new building, on a greenfield site outside the national park, was opposed by local people who set up the Riccall Drive Residents’ Group to campaign against the plans.
Concerns were also raised about transparency surrounding the costs of the scheme.
Designed by Bowman Riley Architects, the building will provide high-quality office space for modern hybrid working, with open-plan workstations, meeting rooms, breakout areas and a large committee room for public meetings.
It will also include welfare and storage for the operational NYM rangers, along with parking for overflow use, electric vehicle charging, fleet vehicles and bicycles.
Preparation works have already completed with foundations now ongoing by the main contractor OGL Construction.
Dudleys have been involved on the scheme from very early stages, providing initial design input, before taking the scheme through to completion, providing all of the necessary civil engineering requirements to enable and service the site.
It is also advising on all structural engineering requirements for a steel-frame, 2 storey building.
Paul Brownlow, Director at Dudleys Consulting Engineers, said: “We are pleased to see work begin on site for this important project, which has taken several years to reach this stage. Having delivered the adjacent housing development a few years ago, we know the site well and can help accelerate the groundworks to keep the structural programme on track.
“The structure will use around 55 tonnes of hot-rolled steelwork to support a first-floor composite concrete deck, founded on traditional pad and strip foundations bearing on shallow natural ground. Locally sourced Witton Fell sandstone will also be used for the external façade, providing a modern HQ Building, with traditional stone elevations in keeping with the locality.
Externally, we have designed a combination of permeable paving with a traditional drainage system, passing through a below ground attenuation tank before discharge into the local sewer network.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Based in Leeds, Dudleys provides structural and civil engineering consultancy services across the UK. Established more than 17 years ago, the privately owned firm employs 30 highly skilled engineers and works across all major real estate sectors, including residential, industrial, commercial, retail and education. Its projects and clients include South Bank Leeds, the San Francisco 49ers, Skelton Grange Leeds, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, Leeds Bradford Airport, Leeds United Football Club, Arla Foods and Unilever UK.
Councillor George Jabbour, who represents Helmsley on North Yorkshire Council, said: "This is a large project that is taking place in the vicinity of residential properties in Helmsley.
"I hope that the work will be carried out considerately to minimise inconvenience, and that the development will cause as little disturbance as possible to the local community and to the families who live on Riccal Drive and nearby roads."