RESIDENTS are being given their first glimpse of plans for a major new policing hub near Salisbury and police chiefs want to know what people think.
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson is preparing to submit an outline planning application for a proposed Southern Policing Hub at Old Sarum with public consultation events set for later this month.
The new base, planned for around six acres of land off Mitre Way, would replace Bourne Hill Police Station, which police leaders have said is no longer fit for modern policing.
Indicative plans, including early ideas for the site layout, landscaping and building design, will be unveiled at a series of public events this month when residents can ask questions and give feedback before the application is formally submitted.
The site, secured conditionally by the PCC late last year, is intended to become a central base for response officers, neighbourhood policing teams and operational support staff serving Salisbury and south Wiltshire.
Mr Wilkinson said the project had been years in the making but insisted the next stage was about listening to people.
“Securing the land was an important milestone but this stage of the project is about listening,” he said.
“We are on track to submit an outline planning application by the end of the summer and before we do that, it is vital that local people understand what is being proposed and why and have the opportunity to talk to us about it.”
Police leaders said more than a dozen alternative sites were considered before Old Sarum was selected because of its transport links, size and long-term potential.
Chief constable Catherine Roper said modern police buildings were essential for effective policing and added that well-designed bases help officers respond faster and remain visible in communities.
Importantly for residents, there are currently no plans for a custody suite at the site, although the land could allow future expansion if policing needs change.
Public drop-in events will be held at Salisbury Football Club on June 24 and June 27.
I must say that I welcome a proper home for our police and those who are/have selected the sight and are now starting the design stage need to be 100% in getting it right. The past has been littered by (I am tempted to say stupidity) the error of vacating one police station, which was supposedly no longer suitable, into a shared space with WCC which has never been exactly suitable; the Wilton Road site could have been completely up dated in the period since vacating but it was sold/moved to another part of the council remit.
Because of the above I would ask those who are involved in this move to examine closely the possible traffic difficulties that must be overcome for access to the areas into the city and particulerly to the southeast of the city especially at peak traffic movement times.
Here is also the question of the custody suite. Surely this should be an essential of a modern Police Station and given the time police officers on duty spend conveying offenders to the nearest available suite and returning toi their place of activity would be beneficial to the constabulary and those they are to serve. Another benefit of the said suite is the possibility of an hour or two in the cells to cool a minor offender. Hope these comments are of use.
Absolutely ridiculous not having a custody suite. It’s taking our police officer of the beat, less time to stop crime due to driving the offenders miles to get them held.