Still no custody suite plans for South Policing Hub following consultation
A new site has been secured in Old Sarum
There remain no plans for a custody suite for the proposed new south policing hub in Wiltshire, despite it being raised as a leading concern by locals during a public consultation period.
A series of engagement events were held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner earlier this summer, with a number of "good neighbour" concerns raised to Philip Wilkinson and his team.
The new hub, which is set to cost more than £20 million, is expected to be built on land conditionally purchased at Mitre Way in Old Sarum and provide a modern facility to house Wiltshire Police. It will see the Force move out of the site at Bourne Hill, which is shares with Wiltshire Council, with the facilities there deemed unable to meet modern standards during reviews in 2021 and 2023.
But it's plans don't include provision for a custody suite, which is based on operational assessments and guidance from Chief Constable Catherine Roper.
Among the leading concerns, alongside the lack of a custody suite, were traffic and access, landscaping and screening, environmental impact, and community amenity.
The PCC says the views haven't just been noted and that they've been given directly to the teams involved in the project to inform the plans that will be submitted later this year.
Mr Wilkinson said: "While an outline planning application does not deal with every detail of the final design, the feedback we have received is helping shape the technical assessments, future design work and the way we approach the next stages of the project.
“People have rightly asked questions about the long-term future of policing in Salisbury and south Wiltshire and it is very much our aim to ensure this proposal delivers against whatever the future policing landscape looks like.
"Those views have been shared with the wider project team and are helping inform the work that continues ahead of the planning application being submitted."
Locals also made suggestions are renewable energy opportunities, biodiversity and sustainability measures, which will also be considered as the scheme develops.
The period of engagement also found many in support of the project, as the need for relocation was recognised and the investment in a modern policing base welcomed.
The PCC added that there will be further consultation with the public beyond the outline planning application being submitted.