City of London police base approved for Aldgate

The Middlesex Street Estate was built in 1965 and includes Petticoat Tower

A new police base has been approved in an area where documents showed there was a "significant" demand for policing.

The new Eastern base for the City of London Police has been approved to be situated on an Aldgate housing estate.

The base will not act as a front desk for the force, but will instead be available for officers to report into.

Local residents voiced their concerns about the plans saying they would "damage our quality of life".

Documents published ahead of the planning committee meeting indicated policing was needed in the area, which was expected to be reinforced by the planned closure of a station in Bishopsgate once the new HQ in Salisbury Square opened in 2026.

Under the approved plans, the force would turn six vacated shops on Gravel Lane into offices and would adopt a number of car parking spaces currently reserved for residents.

A range of improvements were included in the proposal, such as upgrades to the residents' parking area, works to the podium in the centre of Middlesex Street Estate and a new gym.

Julia Mason was among the Middlesex Street Estate residents to have spoken out against plans

But residents have mixed feelings in response to the plans.

Julia Mason, 57, said she worried about the proposals, including the potential impact on her and her family's quality of life, she said: "I just wished it wasn't going to happen, to be honest."

She added: "We are not even going to be able to use it as a police station."

At the committee meeting, Roger Way, chair of the Middlesex Street Residents' Association, told members the new base would have a detrimental impact on those living in the estate.

He said: "Today you are asked to approve an application which we predict will further reduce residential and public amenities, sterilise an active street, and further damage our quality of life - a prediction shared by more than 96% of the individuals who recorded their objections to this application."

The force will turn six vacated shops on Gravel Lane into offices

Speaking in support of the application, deputy James Thomson, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said: "Put simply, the current police buildings are beyond end of life, and are not fit for purpose.

"The City Police wish to be excellent neighbours and very much part of the community in every respect," he added.

When put to a vote the planning applications sub-committee unanimously backed the plans.

Following the meeting, chairman of the City of London corporation planning and transportation committee, Shravan Joshi, said the decision ensured "a strong police presence will remain across the city, as well as providing a range of new facilities for local residents".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]