Surrey Police Authority has instructed Bruton Knowles to launch the planned disposals of eight former police stations and offices which are located in desirable Surrey locations in Esher, Walton-on-Thames, East Molesey, Epsom, Dorking, Haslemere, Cranleigh and Chertsey, with a total value of around £8.5m.
The properties offer a number of development options including conversion and extension or comprehensive redevelopment, and are suitable for a range of uses including mixed-use schemes, commercial, residential or retail.
These properties represent the second phase of a planned disposal programme, which began in March, and follows the successful marketing exercise for the first phase comprising seven properties. The first phase properties received considerable interest, with offers accepted for a range of commercial and residential uses. The third and final phase is anticipated to take place in 2012.
Fraser Castle at Bruton Knowles’ Guildford office said: “As we have seen with the phase one properties, there is huge interest and demand for quality sites in desirable Surrey locations where the opportunity to develop prime town centre sites seldom arises. This new tranche of properties includes some significant and highly desirable Surrey real estate; not surprisingly, we are expecting to see huge interest from both residential and commercial developers.”
The disposals follow a strategic estates review that Surrey Police has been working on over the past three years and seek to provide capital receipts and revenue savings to support Surrey Police’s expansion, which will also see the recruitment of up to 200 new constables.
Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority, commented: “As part of a wider reorganisation of the force, we are working to replace many of our stations and offices with more cost-effective alternatives. We have undertaken significant consultation with local residents and are identifying new arrangements that will meet the needs of residents and the police for the long-term. Thanks to the radical measures already introduced, Surrey Police is still recruiting to the front line despite a 20% cut in Government funding for policing.”
Planning is underway for neighbourhood police teams to be based in busy locations within local communities such as shopping centres, and to co-locate and share buildings with local authorities and partner organisations.
