IT HAS towered above the city for 50 years.

Now the former Hampshire Constabulary headquarters in Winchester is set to be demolished to make way for more than 200 new houses.

Developer Berkeley Homes has finalised plans to demolish the force’s former West Hill base on Romsey Road, replacing it with 190 flats and 18 townhouses.

The scheme, which also include an underground car park and path for bikes and pedestrians, was approved by planners in February. Affordable housing will also be supplied with 83 of the units leased under a rent-to-buy scheme.

A date for demolition has yet to be announced.

The police tower block is one of the highest-placed buildings in Winchester and is visible miles from the city, on approaches such as the M3 and the A272 at Cheesefoot Head.

However, the building itself has divided opinion, with some claiming it spoils the city’s skyline whilst others hold it in high esteem.

When plans for the new estate were announced, Winchester city councillor Ian Tait said: “It will be a sad day when the old police HQ is taken down.

“It is a significant building in the city. I have grown to love the building as I have lived in its shadow for many years.”

Hampshire Constabulary moved out of the West Hill building last November to occupy a new £4.5 million base on Tower Street. More than 300 staff are located at the new site.

Mottisfont Court, previously owned by Hampshire County Council, has utilised the space with an operations room and a number of meeting rooms, as well as a gym.

Michael Lane, police and crime commissioner, said: “Modernising our police estate to deliver the best working environment to deliver operational effectiveness and look after our people is a key priority.

“This sale follows on from the move to co-locate with the Fire and Rescue Service in our now joint Strategic Headquarters. This sale of the former headquarters will deliver funds that can continue this modernising and improving estates programme by reinvesting the money raised.”

The scheme is set to become one of the largest ever new builds to be created in Winchester city centre.

Chris Gilbert, managing director, Berkeley Homes southern division, said: “We are delighted to have acquired such a prominent site in the historic city of Winchester. The benefits for the community will be two-fold as Berkeley deliver much-needed quality housing to the area while the proceeds of the sale will be reinvested back into the police force.”