Police force to move into office space during refurb

The police station in Chard will be refurbished

A police force will move into office space while a £970,000 revamp of a police station is under way.

Chard police station's refurbishment was approved by Somerset Council in April.

While the work is being carried out, neighbourhood officers will remain based in the town, with office space from Numatic being provided free of charge on the nearby Millfield Industrial Estate.

Under the approved proposals, the station will be fitted with solar panels and air source heat pumps to reduce its energy bills.

New windows will also be installed and repairs made to the roof to minimise heat loss.

The interior layout will be reconfigured to include a new locker room, accessible toilets and a multi-purpose room which could be used to provide employees with breastfeeding facilities and a faith space.

The refurbishment is set to begin at the end of May and be finished before Christmas.

A local response team will also be based out of Crewkerne for the duration of the work.

Ch Insp Andy Pritchard said: “We want to continue providing a police service in Chard and the surrounding area for many years to come, and this refurbishment will enable exactly that.

“During the refurbishment we will temporarily be closing the station, but this will cause no change to the number of officers or patrols that we have in Chard."

While Chard police station is closed, the closest alternative enquiry offices will be at Yeovil and Taunton.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.