Durham Police Authority has been granted planning permission to build a new police headquarters at Aykley Heads.
Permission has also been granted to relocate the communications mast from its existing position to a new location next to the new headquarters. Its removal will enable residential housing to be developed on the site of the existing headquarters which has also been agreed in outline by Durham County Council’s Planning Committee.
The new headquarters will cost almost £15m and will be substantially funded by the proceeds of the sale of land from the Police Authority’s estate.
It will provide a welcome boost to the local economy, cover more than 5,600 square metres over three floors and is expected to be operational from spring 2014. The existing headquarters site is expected to be sold for residential development for around 227 homes which will be two, three, four and five bedroom properties.
Peter Thompson, Durham Police Authority Chairman, said: “I am very pleased that the County Council has granted planning permission for the new headquarters, relocation of the mast and residential housing. This represents several years work by members and staff of the Authority and staff from the Constabulary.
The new building will be more efficient to run and is expected to save £750,000 per year and will be energy efficient unlike the current headquarters building. These savings will help us maintain an effective policing service.
The Police Authority was sensitive to people’s views regarding the future of the communications mast and we are happy to relocate it. In relation to house building on the existing headquarters site, this will also give a welcome boost to the construction industry and local economy. We expect the sale of the land to be used to fund the new headquarters.
This is a really exciting time for the Authority and clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to value for money, community safety and service delivery. This is on the back of crime continuing to fall, high detection rates and good levels of customer satisfaction.”