A Grade II listed building that formerly served as the headquarters of the North York Moors National Park Authority has been put on the market with planning consent for conversion into five homes.
The Old Vicarage in Helmsley is for sale for offers in excess of £900,000 as the authority prepares to relocate to new offices.
The building, which is being marketed by Cundalls, was designed by London architect Temple Moore and sits within 0.62 acres of land.
The Old Vicarage, which is believed to date from circa 1890 to 1910, was designed for Reverend Charles Norris Gray, a long-serving Vicar of Helmsley. It was not just a vicarage, but a busy domestic home, featuring a two-storey kitchen, service bells, a food lift, which still survives, laundry room, butler’s pantry and cellar.
According to the property listing, it was often filled with trainee clergymen and lay readers, who slept in rooms across the rear wing, first floor and attic. Glimpses of this earlier life can still be seen in the fireplaces and cupboards that are present. During the Second World War, the Barclay family rented the house to escape the London Blitz. Ownership eventually transferred to North Yorkshire County Council in 1974, after which the building was used by the Forestry Commission and Police before becoming the headquarters of the North York Moors National Park Authority.
Its historic features include an oak principal staircase, full-height sash windows and period fireplaces. The property also includes a stone-built coach house currently used as offices.
Planning and listed building consent have been granted for a scheme comprising three apartments in the main building and two mews-style houses in place of the rear extension. The proposed homes range from a large ground-floor apartment to two-bedroom mews houses.
Other uses could be considered, subject to the necessary planning and listed building consents. These could include restoring the building as a single family home, retaining office accommodation or pursuing another commercial use.
A spokesperson for Cundalls said: “The Old Vicarage is a building of real character and importance to Helmsley and is probably one of the most important buildings in the town centre. The sale presents a rare opportunity for a new owner to give this landmark building a lasting future, with an approved residential scheme already in place and scope to consider other uses through the planning process.”
The authority’s planned move is intended to provide premises better suited to modern working practices, with improved energy efficiency and dedicated parking. It is also expected to ease pressure on roads around The Old Vicarage.
The property is being sold freehold, with vacant possession expected on completion.
The relevant planning applications are NYM/2024/0413 and NYM/2024/0416. Further details are available from Cundalls’ Malton office.