Northallerton prison demolition nears end

The demolition of Northallerton’s defunct prison is almost complete.

Contractors are due to move off the 3.5 acre site at the end of June having brought down the old buildings and the massive wall surrounding them.

There will be just the five listed buildings remaining: the governors house; the interlinked female, segregation and hospital wings; and the administration block / officers accommodation wing will all be used in the re-development.

The District Council has formed a partnership with property developers, the Wykeland Group to bring the site to life - retail, leisure, education and housing are on the list of possible future uses.

The two partners, who have formed a new Central Northallerton Development Company, expect to announce those ideas in July.

Planning permission will then be sought with work expected to start on site in 2018.

An archaeological dig will take place before any new building work begins on site. Details of that work, including opportunities for public involvement, will be announced in the near future.