New police HQ for Merseyside

Willmott Dixon has been selected to design and build a 10,800m² headquarters for Merseyside Police on council land in Scotland Road, North Liverpool.

Willmott Dixon Northern Managing Director Anthony Dillon said: “This follows similar schemes we’ve done recently in Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle and South Wales where police forces are looking to create a better working environment for their teams, plus make better use of property by putting all resources into one giant facility. Long term it will save millions in running costs for the forces.”

The announcement of a new headquarters ends years of speculation that the force would exit the city centre for modern premises in a less congested location.

Jane Kennedy, police commissioner, said a year-long selection process had examined 13 council-owned sites across the five boroughs and 31 privately-owned sites before deciding to relocate to Scotland Road.

The new headquarters will consist of a four-storey building with a single storey annex, housing nearly 850 officers and staff in largely open-plan offices, as well as providing meeting rooms, a lecture theatre and break-out spaces.

Also included within the plans is a multi-storey car park with a total of 578 spaces to ensure there is no impact on the access or parking needs of nearby residents and businesses.

The development site is largely owned by Liverpool City Council and bound by Scotland Road, St Anne Street and the approach road to the Kingsway tunnel. It is also adjacent to the force’s existing St Anne Street site.

A planning application is scheduled to be submitted in May 2017. If approved, work could begin on site in January 2018 and be completed in May 2020.