After lying empty for months, the keys to Swale House in Richmond – one of the council’s former offices – were handed over to their new owners.
In a press release issued today, the council says Richmondshire Developments Ltd, plan to turn the building into two semi-detached homes and seven apartments.
It says:
Swale House is the last of the council’s buildings to be sold as part of the project to create the new Mercury House headquarters – Frenchgate House and Friars Wynd have already been converted into homes in the town. The creation of the new base also saw the authority move out of Springwell House and the Dundas Street community offices – both of which were leased.
“Selling all our properties is an end of an era for Richmondshire District Council – but the start of a new, better one!” said Council Leader, Councillor Yvonne Peacock.
“Not only has most of the cost of moving to Mercury House been funded through these sales, the buildings have gone to local developers who are providing local jobs – a big boost for our economy. By refurbishing these old buildings they can take them back to their former glory – especially relevant at Swale House which has a wealth of history behind its closed doors, all of which will be preserved for future generations.”
She said the council’s move to Mercury House – in the former Lower School on Station Road – brought the council together in one location for the first time in its history.
The £2million move was funded through the sale of the buildings and the reduction in overheads by running just one building, not five.
“Our state of the art offices bring everyone together – providing a better service for our customers but also a much better working environment for our officers,” added Cllr Peacock.
The release does not reveal the sale price and any conditions applied – both questions we have asked and will update this post with when we get a reply.
Update: The property sold for £710k.
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