Police plan new HQ

A new police station is to be built in Ollerton after Nottinghamshire Police Authority set aside £41/2m for the project.

But although the money is in place, a design has yet to be drawn up and submitted for approval.

The force has also yet to decide whether to redevelop the existing site on Forest Road or buy land and build elsewhere.

There is no formal timescale attached to the project.

The new station would replace the outdated buildings that have been in use since 1950.

They are no longer seen as fit for modern policing.

The new divisional commander for Newark and Sherwood and Bassetlaw, Chief Superintendent David Wakelin, said: “This will give us the opportunity to create a purpose-built facility specifically designed to meet the policing requirements of the people of Ollerton and the surrounding communities.

“At present, we are considering a variety of options for the development of the new station, which includes both the possible redevelopment of the existing site or the purchase and development of a new site in the town.”

The Ollerton Police commander, Inspector Andy Gan pledged that resource levels allocated to the town would be maintained.

He said the response drivers and safer neighbourhood teams would continue to be based at Ollerton.

Inspector Gan said: “The current station is quite old and was built before modern policing methods came about.

“The new build will be much better for staff and for the public. There will be a better quality of service.”

He said a major benefit to the public would be provided by a new reception area, which will replace current facilities that are considered small and imposing with little space for interviewing people in private.

An Ollerton and Boughton town councillor, Mr Ray Shilling, said: “Ollerton is already the hub for the traffic police so if it is a streamlining of operations the police are after then Ollerton seems the logical place to invest.

“As a councillor and resident I would like to see a greater police presence on the streets of Ollerton and Boughton and surrounding villages and if, via this investment, that happens then we only benefit.

“The existing police station looks dated and tired and there is a lot you can do with £41/2m.

“I believe Ollerton to be the fastest growing community in the Midlands and if the police, and any other authority, wants to make this level of investment then it is supportive of the successes we have had here and what we continue to try to achieve since the pit closure.”