Plans for out-of-town police base to be decided

The new police base on the outskirts of Crewe is needed to provide officers with better access to the rural areas surrounding the town, the force says

Plans for a new police station on the outskirts of Crewe have been recommended for approval.

Cheshire Police wants to build the new base on land to the west of David Whitby Way.

The new building would replace the existing town centre police station which no longer met operational requirements and also had issues relating to asbestos and RAAC, the force said.

An application was due to be considered this week by Cheshire East's strategic planning board.

A report from a council planning officer said Cheshire Police were committed to keeping a presence in Crewe town centre, in the form of a police hub to enable public access to the service.

'Better access'

It said details still needed to be finalised and suitable premises secured before the existing police station was closed.

In relation to the planning application, council officers said it was "disappointing" an active travel route would be disrupted.

They added parking requirements of more than 200 spaces and the need for security meant there was limited scope for landscaping.

These issues needed to be balanced against the benefits of moving the police base, it added.

"It will allow the deployment of officers across the whole of the local policing area with better access to strategic road network with easy access into Crewe town centre and throughout the wider urban area," the report stated.

The building would accommodate approximately 300 staff and operate on a 24-hour basis, 365 days of the year.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.