Nailsworth Town Council to take over police station (From Stroud News and Journal)

Nailsworth Town Council to take over police station

2:00pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in News By Crispin Northey, Reporter for Nailsworth, Minchinhampton and Painswick

NAILSWORTH’S derelict police station could be taken over by the town council in a £100,000 deal.

The station is one of 15 police properties put on the open market by Gloucestershire Constabulary in a bid to find £18 million of savings over four years.

In its place a new police point was set up inside the adjoining county council-owned library building – with the town council’s Mortimer Room on the other side.

Speaking at the town council meeting on Tuesday, January 17, property management committee chairman Cllr Miles Robinson said several councillors had visited the station and concluded it would be ideal for the council to use.

He also said the 466sq ft single-storey stone-clad property comprises two ‘reasonably-sized’ rooms, a kitchen and shower room, a lock-up garage, outbuildings and car park big enough for five cars.

"We have expressed an interest in the building and feel we should make a quick decision," he said.

The town council is working with Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum to produce a business plan with a view to making a formal offer.

Mayor Steve Robinson said the acquisition would be of great benefit to the town and form part of the 2006 Nailsworth Design Statement, which was the result of two years of consultation in the town.

He added that the town hall is likely to be rented out but there are no plans to move the clerk's office or council chamber.

"The idea is to look at all the buildings belonging to the town council and see how they can be used to their full potential within the budgets that are available," he said.