Outdoor activity centre opens in former police headquarters

An outdoor activity centre has opened in North Yorkshire Police’s headquarters after years of planning wrangles.

Operator PGL says its 15th centre at Newby Wiske Hall has been converted with “innovative design concepts” throughout and has retained the features of the 19^th century building.

The launch has also led to the creation of 100 new jobs locally, the company says.

“We have spent a great deal of time ensuring that each aspect of Newby Wiske Hall was exciting and adventurous for children and a great experience for teachers,” said Anthony Jones, CEO of PGL.

“With the new concepts indoors, and the amazing activities in the beautiful grounds of the hall outside, we feel this will enrich young people’s lives for many years to come.”

PGL said it created a ground-breaking design for the children’s rooms at Newby Wiske Hall with rooms featuring new so-called ‘bunk pods’.

These feature climbing holds to help children climb the bunks and chalk pouches for storing personal items.

They also have adjustable LED lighting so each child can customise their own bed space.

The centre offers 20 different activities for visiting children, including an aqua park, laser tag and a giant swing.

“We really see Newby Wiske Hall as the blueprint for our future centre designs, ensuring adventure is at every step of the journey,” said Anthony Jones.

“We are excited by the responses we’ve had already and look forward to welcoming more and more schools and groups over the coming months and years.”

Residents of the village spent years battling against the planned holiday centre following North Yorkshire Police selling its long-time headquarters, saying noise nuisance from children and coaches will ruin the isolated village’s tranquility.

Hambleton District Council only approved the conversion after a High Court battle with campaigners.

In recent months while work was taking place at the hall, the district council confirmed it had received numerous complaints over alleged breaches of planning conditions at the site.

In August last year, PGL was issued with an enforcement notice over traffic breaches for failing to keep to the set 56 hours a week for the redevelopment of the grade II listed building.