Police force to put town's station on property market

Durham Police are testing the property market by offering Newton Aycliffe police station for sale -a move that could be the catalyst for an overhaul of the force's properties.

Chief Constable Paul Garvin said the decision to consider a sell-off was an opportunity generated by proposals for a large-scale re-development of the town centre.

Mr Garvin said: "We are not desperate to sell and, at this stage, we are offering the land and buildings on the open market to see what they might fetch.

"Opportunities like this make sound business sense and would make us better able to deliver the kind of front-line policing service the public expects."

If the building is sold, the money will help pay for a move to a new station in the town, similar to the relocation of Peterlee station, which made way for a supermarket in 2001.

Plans for a new local headquarters include a large cell complex, equipped with monitoring equipment.

Facilities for handling prisoners and preparing cases for court would be better, and links between departments such as CID and uniformed officers would also be improved.

The police authority chairwoman, county councillor Anne Wright, said: "The public can rest assured the number of operational officers on the streets of the town would not be cut and we would not move out of Aycliffe police station until suitable replacement premises were ready and available."

Julie Wallin, director of chartered surveyors Carver Commercial, in Newton Aycliffe, believes demand for the station will be high.

She said: "Redevelopment sites in and around Aycliffe are fetching very good prices.

"The station is in a prime location. It fronts the shopping centre and is close to the new developments, which are attracting the interest of potential developers.

"Commercial interest goes hand-in-hand with the strength of the residential market. More and more houses are being built, which means the area is buoyant."