PLANS to build a new police station in Salisbury "have taken a step forward", with an agreement to buy land at Old Sarum now being worked on.
This news comes after planning permission was refused twice to build at High Post in February - the other of the two sites identified as suitable for the "policing hub".
An agreement to buy six acres of land at Old Sarum is being worked upon – with steps to bring forward a planning application to deliver a dedicated policing hub on this site also now in progress.
£19M towards the station was committed in this year’s budget-setting process and the next step would be to secure planning permission.
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PCC Philip Wilkinson said the step forward is great news but until planning permission is agreed with Wiltshire Council he is “not celebrating.”
The advance at Old Sarum will happen in parallel with the commissioner’s commitment to continued support towards a planning application at High Post.
Mr Wilkinson said: “Until we have secured planning permission and there is a spade in the ground, we are not promised a southern policing hub, but the key thing is all the steps in the right direction are happening.
“Delivering a police service which meets the needs of its communities has never been more important – or challenging. I know residents want greater public engagement with officers, more public access and an increased officer presence at community level.
“All of this is underpinned by the importance of investment in police ‘estate’ to support the delivery of a policing service I know our residents want - and deserve.
“I believe Wiltshire Police will be better equipped to provide the policing service our communities want if they have the infrastructure which supports them to respond more effectively and efficiently.”
The project team will now continue with two options at Old Sarum and High Post with the aim of delivering the commissioner’s estate strategy 2023-2027 which will enable Wiltshire Police's commitment to serve all of the county with an effective frontline policing service.
Wiltshire chief constable Catherine Roper said: "This is a significant step forward in providing a fully-functioning estate for my officers and staff in the south of our county.
“I believe well-placed and equipped police sites provide the base for my teams to work smarter, adapt to changing crime demand and more importantly, provide greater presence to our communities.
"These plans will enable us to be a modern and visible organisation who support our communities and workforce and deliver on our commitment to ‘Keeping Wiltshire Safe’."
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