This is a first sneak preview of what the new eco-friendly police station in Llandudno will look like.
The £2.75 million development has been sanctioned by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC.
The old brick-built police station in Oxford Road isn’t fit for purpose and replacing it is part of the Commissioner’s five year Estate Strategy.
The premises were previously a Divisional Headquarters and had a custody suite that was decommissioned in 2004.
Officers and staff will be moving to a temporary police station a few hundred metres away in Argyle Road on June 23.
The force already has planning permission to demolish the existing station and they have begun the consultation process over the plans.
The new premises will be built to BREEAM Excellent standards and will include a host of environmentally-friendly features like gas absorption heat pumps which will provide underfloor heating throughout the building.
The design has been drawn up by Wrexham-based Lawray Architects who were also responsible for the recently-opened police station in Llangefni on Anglesey.
Subject to planning permission, demolition is due to start in the late summer and construction should take 12 months, with a view to the new police station being ready to move in by December next year.
Project manager Ian Poole said: “We’d like to enter some public consultation before we submit our planning application, and we are hoping to start the process now and finish around the end of the month.
“We’ll then submit the planning application subject to any comments during the public consultation.
“In the meantime, we will place drawings in the reception of Llandudno Police Station with a suggestion box.
“We also intend to place drawings in the reception of our headquarters in Colwyn Bay and our divisional HQ in St Asaph.
According to Stephen Roberts, Head of Facilities and Fleet Department of North Wales Police, the new building will save £50,000 a year in running costs and will have a lifespan of 60 years.
He said: “The £50,000 per annum revenue saving will be reinvested in front line policing and this option ensures that the station can remain located in the town itself.
“Some of the artefacts and architectural features will r be salvaged and incorporated into the new building where feasible.”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC said: “The current police station is reaching the end of its useful life and it would be a waste to spend a great deal public money on it.
“Unfortunately, the building cannot be brought up to the standard required for modern policing so the only sensible option is to demolish it and build a new, state-of-the art police station that is fit for the 21st century.
“The case to go down this route is compelling. Not only will the new police station provide better and more appropriate accommodation for police staff and officers, it will also be considerably cheaper to run which is important as we look to operate within a reduced budget in the coming years.”
