West Mercia Police and fire may share Bromsgrove station

Artist's impression of new police and fire station in Bromsgrove

Police chiefs have said officers could share a station with fire crews in a Worcestershire town to cut costs.

The new building would be constructed on derelict land in Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, near the Artrix theatre.

If the plans go ahead, West Mercia police have said they will develop and own the new building on behalf of both organisations.

If planning permission is approved, the building work would begin in the summer 2012 and take about a year to complete.

Jim Stobie, from West Mercia Police, said the current police station, built in the 1900s, was environmentally inefficient.

"By sharing common facilities with the fire service the cost of the new building will reduce by 20%," he said.

To minimise disruption to local residents, the emergency services have said their vehicles would not use sirens on routes near to the new station.

The derelict building on the site at the moment is owned by North East Worcestershire College.