A CHARITY that runs a Richmond tourist attraction is now able to have more control over its future after buying the building and land around it from a district council.

The Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT), which runs the Station in Richmond, has had its leasehold on the building converted to freehold, and has bought the land around it including the car parking area nearest to the building, for about £68,000.

The trust has been in talks with Richmondshire District Council since 2012 about the sale of the upper car park, nearest to the Station building, when the trust and council were involved in a wrangle over how much of the car park should be sold.

After the authority revealed plans in 2011 to introduce parking charges at the same rate of other nearby council car parks, the trust made an offer to buy the building and all car parks.

But the council refused that offer because it still owns Richmond Swimming Pool, which is accessed through the car parks.

Treasurer of RBPT trustees Ian Hepworth said it was good news for the Station.

“We don’t have plans to change anything now, but we have taken control of our own destiny by taking on the building, its curtilage and the upper car park area,” he said.

“With the lease we had before we were restrained by certain restrictions if we wanted to make changes to the way the building works, and now we can be more flexible.”

He added that the trust would still have to go through the planning process for any significant changes.

Mr Hepworth said: “It took a long time because we had negotiations with the Richmondshire Leisure Trust, which runs the swimming pool, as well as the council.

“We just wanted to make sure we could control the level of charges in our car park, and have the flexibility to have days when no charges apply.”

Mr Hepworth said the trust felt the future of the Station was far more secure – and trustees hoped it would put them in a stronger position against the new cinema in Catterick Garrison, due to open this summer.

Managing director of Richmondshire District Council, Tony Clark said: “The Station is a well respected local community asset that serves not only residents but visitors to the area.

“The council is pleased to have been able to assist Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust in securing full control of the building and the adjacent car park that serves visitors and customers of the tenant businesses inside the station.”