| Bath’s new Police Station is a step closer to opening, after Avon & Somerset Constabulary received planning permission to refurbish the One Stop Shop in Lewis House on Manvers Street. B&NES – which is Lib-Dem controlled – reached a lease agreement with the police earlier this year. The city has been without a proper station for some time. The new facility will provide co-location of vital frontline services, visibility of the neighbourhood police team and public access to an enquiry office. Councillor Richard Samuel, Cabinet member responsible for the Council’s property portfolio, commented:“The Lib Dems have been working towards the return of Bath’s Police Station for over five years. This is another welcome step towards achieving that goal and re-establishing a city centre Police presence – so essential for a busy city with many visitors.” City Centre Councillor, Andrew Furse, said: “We’ve argued that a ‘proper’ police station needs to be visible, central and accessible to residents. This new facility fits the bill and it’s testament to the hard work of the Lib Dem administration, who listened to the public and delivered the agreement with Avon and Somerset Police.” Bath MP Wera Hobhouse commented, “I am very pleased to see plans for the Police Station move forward. Me and my local Lib Dem colleagues have been calling for a proper police station in Bath since 2018, garnering thousands of signatures on our petition. “I’m delighted that the residents of Bath have been listened to and that we are one step closer to a police station that is accessible and central to keep local residents safe. I commend my colleagues in the Lib Dem administration in Bath who are improving the lives of residents in Bath.” Works are expected to be complete in the Spring. |
| Note: the change of use application can be viewed on the Council website and further details of the works are available in the news story from Avon and Somerset Police. |
Planning granted for new police station
