Four sites being considered for new South Wiltshire police station
The county's PCC says he doesn't have a preferred option yet
Four sites are being considered for a new South Wiltshire police station, with just one of them actually within Salisbury.
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says the plans for a new policing hub in our part of the county are 'moving in the right direction'.
The sites being looked at are:
- Land at High Post - with the PCC noting that this is further from Salisbury than residents would wish
- Fugglestone Red and Old Sarum areas of Salisbury - checks are being carried out with landowners to see if possible land and locations are 'appropriate to deliver policing'
- Land joined with Salisbury District Hospital - talks are being held about the layout of the current site and whether a policing facility can be located there
Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said the value of engaging with the Salisbury community at a public meeting last October was evident – as it opened up other site options to the team, with some as a result of suggestions from members of the public at, and after, the event:
“We are listening to all feedback given to us. For a southern policing hub to be successful, it has meet the needs of our communities as well as being viable in terms of planning, provide the facilities needed to deliver quality policing from. It also has to be affordable.
“It is a very fine balance – and a major investment – so we are extremely keen to make the right decisions for the community.”
A further decision on whether a custody suite would be part of any proposed development will be taken at a later point, with any decision made firmly rooted in the operational advice – and need – from Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper.
Mr Wilkinson added:
“All four sites remain options at this stage. We are fortunate to be in a position where there are several possibilities as that was looking like it was not the case late last year.
“Continued conversation with residents directly affected by decisions made by myself and the Chief Constable is vital – we both acknowledge the public’s views on the police service they receive is important. Once we are in a further position to update residents, I will do so.”