Police could return to area that lost station three years ago

A permanent policing presence could return to Garston three years after its historic station shut down.

As part of its wider estates strategy Merseyside Police closed down Heald Lane station in Garston. A planning application was lodged with Liverpool Council that could give the building that dates back to 1890 a fresh lease of life as nine new apartments.

In a bid to reinstate a force site in the area, a new application has been lodged for Merseyside Police to take up a presence in the walk-in centre on Church Road.

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Documents released by the city council’s planning department indicated that the two storey detached building on Heald Street was built in the 19th century as a purpose built police station and served as such until it closed in 2021. It has lain dormant ever since and was sold last year.

Riscon Holdings' proposals seek to change the building across both floors with eight one-bed apartments and a further two-bed arrangement. A commercial office would also be installed at ground floor level.

Given the history of the building, a series of minor external alterations are proposed to bring it up to a “habitable, modern standard.” This would include the replacement of windows, refurbished entrance doors and the installation of rooflights.

The applicant said: “The proposed development will support local shops, services and infrastructure as well as making an important contribution to the council’s housing and office floorspace on what is an existing building within the urban area.”

More than £20m is expected to be recouped from the sale of 11 old and unused police stations across Merseyside in the next decade as part of a wide-ranging estates strategy. Police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell said this was vital cash that could help reinforce frontline services.

It was confirmed in October 2022 that the Garston site would be sold. Mrs Spurrell said at the time assessments were being made for the viability of a community station being set up given officers previously using space in the community’s hospital to see members of the public. An application from Mrs Spurell’s office was received by the local authority’s planning department on May 29.

She said: “Discussions are ongoing to agree a lease with NHS Community Health Partnership to provide a community police station in the South Liverpool NHS Walk-in Centre on Church Road to replace Garston’s former police station which dated back to 1890 and was sold a year ago. This is part of the ongoing work being delivered as part of my refreshed estate strategy to update Merseyside Police’s stations and facilities to locate officers and staff in the best place to serve our communities.”

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