Wrexham Police Station Set For £10m Redevelopment

Wrexham Police Station could be set for a £10m redevelopment as part of a review of North Wales Police’s estate.

In July we reported that the station could face demolition due to its £6m running costs over the next 10 years.

Under recommendations which are being put to public consultation the landmark 14 storey 140ft tower which was built in the 70s would be demolished and redeveloped with a policing presence kept at the station.

However, custody facilities would be housed in an out of town location with the north side of Wrexham being the preferred location to allow ready access to the A483.

The review says that Wrexham Police Station is an important location, but one that is no longer fit for purpose and has a high associated cost, both in terms of annual running costs which stand at £381,600 and a backlog maintenance liability of £5.2m.

The plans include the provision of a smaller, fit for purpose accommodation facility to accommodate the station’s 283 staff and a larger custody suite.

North Wales Police has been advised to budget for £10m to cover overall capital project costs, but with potential annual revenue savings of approximately £80,000.

Other police stations in the county borough are also under review with Gresford, Cefn Mawr and Chirk police stations all recommended for relocation, Coedpoeth and Overton up for review and Rhosllanerchrugog set to be retained.

North Wales Police has said that the review of their estate could prevent the loss of 30 jobs across the force.

Alun Lewis, Chair of the North Wales Police Authority, said: “Our goal is to have an efficient police estate which operates at a reduced cost and meets the needs of the communities of North Wales and modern policing.

“We appreciate that within the draft recommendations there are some significant changes which may cause concern for communities. We want to know about these and to discuss them in full.

“We are under no illusion that some of the recommendations will not be welcomed. However we ask our communities in considering their response to this consultation to appreciate that the aim of the review is to try and safeguard as many police officer and staff roles within the organisation and maintain the front line policing service as much as possible.

“We know that people value police stations and see them as a source of reassurance. However we also appreciate from what you told us during the Future of Policing in North Wales consultation, that it is the service you value the most and we have listened to these views.”

From now until the end of January members of the public are invited to take a look at the draft North Wales Police Estates Strategy, which gives full details of any proposed changes to stations and buildings. The draft strategy can be viewed at http://www.nwalespa.org/public_consultations-230.aspx and views can be emailed to [email protected] or be made in writing to:

Draft Estates Consultation,
Glan y Don,
Colwyn Bay,
Conwy
LL29 8AW.

What are your thoughts on the proposed changes to police stations in Wrexham? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below or join the debate at wrexham.com/forums