Warwickshire Police's former HQ up for sale - The Stratford Observer

Warwickshire Police's former HQ up for sale

Stratford Editorial 12th Nov, 2018   0

THE FORMER headquarters of Warwickshire Police at Leek Wootton is being put up sale.

Property specialists GVA are marketing the site, which includes the Grade II listed Woodcote House, other former police buildings and surrounding grounds.

The money raised from the sale – the site is open to offers – will be pumped back into future policing budgets says Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe.

The remaining policing functions based at the site will be moved to other locations in Warwickshire including the multi-million pound new control room at Stuart Ross House in Warwick.




Mr Seccombe stressed the sale was not a result of the recent decision by West Mercia Police to give notice to end the collaboration agreement between the two forces, adding Leek Wootton had long been identified as too costly to redevelop for modern policing requirements.

The site is included for residential development within Warwick District Council’s Local Plan, for 115 new homes, including the conversion of Woodcote House into 12 apartments.


But while the property is earmarked for homes in the Local Plan, proposals incorporating other viable uses will also be considered.

Mr Seccombe said: “There will obviously be an element of sadness in leaving Leek Wootton which has been home to Warwickshire Police since 1949, but the reality is that it no longer meets the needs of a modern police force. It is costly to maintain and doesn’t provide the modern facilities that our officers, staff and volunteers deserve, nor would it be easy or cost-effective to redevelop for policing purposes.

“In marketing the site for sale I am keen to find the right buyer to achieve the maximum value for the taxpayer. The funds this sale will raise will be of considerable benefit to the budgets of Warwickshire Police for many years to come, helping to strengthen our capital reserves, provide funding for future estates development and allow me to prioritise more funding for frontline policing.”

Warwickshire chief constable Martin Jelley said the sale would benefit the force going forward.

He added: “Leek Wootton has been part of Warwickshire’s Police history for many years and I understand there will be officers and staff sad to see our former headquarters up for sale.

“However, our focus is firmly on our current and future requirements, both for policing and the communities we protect. With this in mind it was clear to see that Leek Wootton, without considerable investment, did not meet these requirements.”

Visit www.gva.co.uk/leekwootton for further information.

 

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