George Lane former Police Station – now being actively marketed

The former Police Station in George Lane is being marketed by BNP Paribas, with an asking price of £1.1m.

It closed in 2019 and after a couple of applications for development were turned down (the most recent from McCarthy & Stone as a large retirement complex) the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner – OPCC – (who technically are the freeholders) are looking for a buyer. But one consideration as the OPCC Chief Executive pointed out in the recent announcement – they (OPCC) are duty bound to secure the best price, so it’s unlikely to be turned over to ‘Community’ use, unless this was supported by adequate funds.

What or who could take this forwards? An early development application was turned down – we understand – because the rear windows of houses would overlook the school (St Mary’s) playing field. And recently there was universal outcry regarding the McCarthy & Stone proposal.

So these issues will need to be taken into consideration by any prospective purchaser – private individual or developer. There is one other issue that isn’t mentioned in the BNP Paribas sales information – the original design and use of this Police Station. When opened in 1996 it was more than ‘just a town Police Station’. It was built for security, and – we believe – includes a high security terrorist cell block, possibly the only one in any centre outside London or major centres. Will that become a factor in any development project? Quite possibly, as the removal of this below ground facility would likely be necessary.

But another consideration is the OPCC itself. The Police & Crime Commissioner role is coming to an end, this is the last term for any Commissioner, and what will follow after? We don’t know, yet. The current term ends in 2028, two years from now, but the Police Station has been ‘on the market’ already since 2019. Which will come first – a sale or the end of the OPCC? Maybe the plan to sell will continue – quite likely but we don’t as yet know, as we don’t as yet know what structure will succeed that of the OPCC.

There is however a ‘best offer’ for the freehold deadline on Friday next week – 19 June at 4pm.