Elland Road to get new police HQ

West Yorkshire Police said that the project – which will see new divisional headquarters built in Leeds and Normanton, near Wakefield – was now expected to cost more than £100m, less than the £200m initially projected.

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

The premises, together with a specialist training centre, will be built under the Government’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

A consortium led by Interserve has been identified as the successful bidder and the Government’s decision means talks can now progress further.

The consortium will design, build, finance and operate the facilities but the police chiefs will have to submit the planning applications.

The new headquarters will be at Elland Road, in Leeds, and Havertop Lane in Normanton. The specialist centre, which will provide training for officers in activities such as public order and firearms, will be at Carr Gate in Wakefield.

Meanwhile, Kirklees Council yesterday said negotiations with the Government and private sector partners had been concluded, paving the way for 466 new affordable homes for rent to be built in the district.

The £92.5m PFI funding will pay for the building on 27 sites in the district’s towns and villages.