Chard police station to get £900k revamp

The police station will have its roof repaired and solar panels fitted

A police station is set to get a £907,000 revamp to bring it up to a "higher standard".

Chard police station's refurbishment has been approved by Somerset Council, despite the town council's objections.

The planning and highways committee recommended the plans be refused due to "the visual impact" of the proposed parking arrangements.

The revamp includes a wide range of updates, ranging from a new faith room to solar panels.

It is hoped the plans will bring the building "up to a higher standard" for members of the public and police officers.

The new amenities will include breastfeeding facilities, a multi-faith room, a new locker room, and accessible toilets, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Avon and Somerset Police has said the force is "committed" to investing in police stations in south Somerset

The station on A358 Millfield will also be fitted with solar panels and air source heat pumps to reduce its energy bills, with new fencing and gates being installed for improved security.

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

In a joint statement, Avon and Somerset Police crime commissioner Mark Shelford and chief constable Sarah Crew said the force was "committed" to investing in south Somerset police stations to "better serve our rural communities".

"The investment planned as part of the Chard police station refurbishment will provide a productive, collaborative, inclusive and future-proofed working environment for the officers and staff delivering policing services to the town," they said.

The town council's planning and highways committee recommended the plans be refused, citing the impact on the Chard conservation area, including many of the properties on Silver Street.

Democratic services officer Beverley Newman said: "The committee agree the majority of this application is fitting; however they are unable to support this application due to the significant detrimental visual impact the proposed parking arrangements will have on what is a listed building in a conservation area."

Planning officer Jacqui Churchill said: "The proposal, by reason of its size, scale and materials, respects the character of the adjacent conservation area and causes no demonstrable harm to the listed buildings, residential amenity, visual amenity, highway safety or other environmental concerns."