Police in land sell-off U-turn (From Daily Echo)

Hampshire Police Authority decide against selling Alpha Park site in Chandler's Ford

3:18pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Winchester By Julian Robinson, Eastleigh Chief Reporter

Hampshire Constabulary HQ in Winchester

A NEW £9m police 'campus' could be in full use by 2015 after a u-turn on plans to sell part of it off.

Alpha Park in Chandler's Ford was purchased four years ago as a replacement for Hampshire Constabulary's headquarters at West Hill, Winchester , which are not considered fit for purpose.

But last year, parts of the new site were earmarked for a £3m sell off as finance bosses looked at ways to save more than £50m.

Now members of Hampshire Police Authority - which controls the force's finances - want to return to the original idea and use the whole of the site, but as an 'operational police campus.'

Once completed, the facility, on Electron Way, will house a range of departments including the vehicle workshop, Force Enquiry Centre and Information Technology team.

Bosses say the u-turn was made in a bid to “co-locate centralised units to realise efficiencies and synergy.”

The decision was taken as part of moves to 'rationalise' the Constabulary's land and building stock - a process started in 2008.

The Estates Development Programme includes plans to build four new custody centres as well as a new headquarters at Winchester's Mottisfont Court, which could be ready for 170 staff by the end of next year.