New
Headquarters Proposals
Outline proposals for a new headquarters are being considered
by Durham Constabulary.
At the moment the future of key buildings across the force, including
the headquarters complex, are the subject of a detailed review but no
binding decisions have yet been taken.
The need for replacement headquarters buildings is driven by the prospect
of a major high-cost programme of maintenance and repair over the next
five or six years.
Senior officers, supported by members of the police authority, believe
new purpose-built offices within the existing site would be a more prudent
investment than a costly overhaul of the 40-year-old complex.
The current headquarters at Aykley Heads, on the northern outskirts of
Durham City, was opened in 1969 by the then Home Secretary, Jim Callaghan.
The current range of flat roof buildings offers more than 30,000 square
metres of floor-space.
Since detailed proposals are unlikely to be drawn up for at least a year
the cost of any final development can, at present, only be guessed at.
Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said: 'Building within our Aykley Heads grounds
would eliminate land costs but the final bill would still run to several
million pounds. Where that money might come from would be crucial to the
potential start date.
'However, the current state of the old complex where concrete is already
crumbling, dictates work on expensive maintenance and repair or a new
build would have to begin one way or the other in the not too distant
future.'
The force has, for some time, also been looking at building two new area
headquarters buildings in the north and south of the county – each
incorporating large state-of-the-art cell blocks with the capacity for
holding up to 50 prisoners at any one time.
'The demands of policing and the laws and regulations that dictate the
way we operate have changed dramatically over the last decades. All staff
will be made aware of both the outline and fine detail of any proposals
drawn up,' added Mr Stoddart.
