HAMPSHIRE police has announced it will be quitting its Winchester headquarters and relocating to Chandler's Ford.

The force has been searching for a new home for eight years, after it was agreed that their current headquarters was no longer fit for purpose.

The building at Alpha Park in Chandler's Ford is currently unoccupied and has been purchased by Hampshire Police Authority for £9.2m.

It will need major refurbishment with early estimates expecting to be between £7m and £15m over a number of years.

To refurbish the current Winchester site, most of which was built in the 1960s, would cost at least £11m. Once the constabulary has relocated to Chandler's Ford, the site will be sold for development, off-setting some of the costs of the move.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Chair of the Hampshire Police Authority, describes the move as the biggest change in the constabulary's recent history.

She said: "We are delighted to have been able to secure this site at Chandler's Ford, having spent so long looking for the right solution for the future of the constabulary.

"This has not been an easy process, but we believe by taking this decision, we have enabled the constabulary to build a headquarters that is fit for the challenges of 21st century policing, and create a better place of work for the 500 officers and members of staff who will be based there.

"This site provides an opportunity for more departments across the force area to come together in one place. This will allow for more efficient and flexible use of our resources. We hope to see the first of the departments currently based at Winchester to move to Chandler's Ford within the next two years."

Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan said: "The acquisition by the Hampshire Police Authority of the Chandler's Ford site is a major development in the history of Hampshire Constabulary.

"The current headquarters building requires extensive investment to extend its useful life, and sadly, it has proved impossible to secure planning permission to stay elsewhere in Winchester.

"I am confident that police officers and police staff will welcome the certainty that the new acquisition brings."

The move to Chandler's Ford has also been welcomed by the Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council. Councillor Keith House said: "Eastleigh is excited to welcome the Hampshire Police to the borough. The council looks forward to a long association with the authority."