Councillors told to approve new police headquarters

PLANS to build a new divisional police headquarters in Leeds are being recommended for approval.

The building – on Elland Road in Leeds – will house about 750 staff and include a 40-cell custody suite, multi-level car park and offices.

The station, to be built on the former greyhound stadium, will replace outdated facilities at Millgarth police station, beside the outdoor market in the centre of Leeds and Holbeck police station.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Outline planning permission for the application has already been agreed and now officers are recommending that members of Leeds City Council’s plans panel east back more detailed design plans when they meet on Thursday, subject to conditions being agreed.

Previously some concerns were raised about parking on Elland Road, as the site is close to Leeds United’s ground and fears have been raised that there may be an impact on match days with people choosing to park on surrounding streets.

However, last year members were told a travel plan had been drawn-up to try to limit the impact.

The headquarters, together new divisional headquarters at Havertop Lane, Normanton, and a specialist training centre, at Carr Gate, in Wakefield, will be built under the Government’s Private Finance Initiative. Earlier this year West Yorkshire Police said the project was now expected to cost more than £100m, less than the projected £200m.

Managers said this could be achieved because costs were more competitive in the current economic climate.