Plans for energy efficient new Swaffham police station set for approval
Chief Constable Simon Bailey at Norfolk Constabulary Headquarters, Wymondham. Photo : Steve Adams - Credit: Steve Adams
Plans to build a new mid Norfolk police station as part of the force's vision for the future of policing in the county have been earmarked for approval.
The proposal for a new police station building on a greenfield site in Swaffham will be discussed at Breckland Council's planning committee meeting next week.
And officers have already recommended the planned development, which would replace the existing Acre Road station, be given the go ahead.
Documents submitted ahead of the meeting, set to be held on Monday, February 11, state: "Norfolk Constabulary require a new police station to replace the existing Swaffham police station and to consolidate the various departments currently dispersed around the west of Norfolk."
Plans, described "a major development", consist of a new police station building, parking, and access to the site, and were first revealed as part of Norfolk Police's 2020 vision for the county, in October 2017.
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The new station would be north of Swaffham, off an industrial estate close to the Waitrose superstore, south of the A47.
Planners are looking to build on a grassed over area at Green Way, surrounded by vegetation, near to several one and two storey buildings.
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Swaffham town council have registered no objections to the proposal, which, if approved, would be constructed on a site maintained by Breckland Council.
Planning officers have recommended the council's asset team are consulted over widening access at the south of the site.
Norfolk police have previously described their 2020 vision as "radical plans aimed at delivering effective and efficient policing set against unprecedented increases in complex crimes and a £10m savings requirement by 2020".
The design and access statement for the project states: "This brand new facility will aim to seamlessly combine the decentralised police services into one central hub.
"The design intent is to create a more fluid and flexible facility that engages all users of the building within shared spaces in order to reduce the overall footprint of the building."
And designers at architecture firm Chaplin Farrant followed sustainability guidelines while designing the new development, including renewable and efficient heating and lighting, reducing pollution, water conservation, and cycle storage.
READ MORE: Plans unveiled for new police station in Swaffham
