Replacement police station plans approved

The proposal includes plans to build a single-storey police station along with an enclosed car park

A police station is to be built in a Merseyside town.

The single-storey building in Peel Street, Newton-le-Willows will house 15 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Deputy St Helens council leader and and planning committee member Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron welcomed the plans.

"The fact we're actually here getting this is a miracle because we've had 14 years of chopping police numbers in Merseyside," he said.

'More cost effective'

The new police station will have an enquiries office, waiting area, an interview room and meeting room, as well as offices, a multi-faith room, storage and an operational car park.

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside police and crime commissioner, previously said the existing building on Market Street opened in the 1970s and had "reached the end of its lifespan".

Ms Spurrell said it would be "more cost effective" to replace the current building with a new high-quality, accessible, custom-built station which is fit for purpose and more sustainable.