News
The Blue Light Partnership consortium, led by BBPI, has been appointed preferred bidder for four police properties in Avon and Somerset. The special purpose company (SPC), in which BBPI holds a 70 percent stake, will design, finance, build and operate the facilities at four separate sites. These will comprise a police operations base, a firearms training centre, three separate custody and crime investigation centres providing 132 cells and two police stations in southwest England. The concession is for a period of 25 years and investment volume is approximately €93 million.
The new Somerset operations base will be located at Express Park, Bridgwater and two custody and crime investigation centres will be built at Gloucester Road, Patchway, and Ashmead Road, Keynsham. This increased capacity to hold criminals will support Avon and Somerset Police's drive to protect local communities by improving the detection of crimes and bringing more offenders to justice. The new facilities will provide comfortable and discrete units for victims and witnesses of crime, and a flexible, modern, sustainable working environment for staff.
The tri-force firearms training centre will be located at Black Rock Quarry, Portishead, near to Police Headquarters. This will serve the police forces of Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and enable officers to be trained to the same standard and promote greater coordination and deployment across the three forces.
Avon and Somerset Police Authority Deputy Chair Cllr Claire Gordon said: "This is a good news story for Avon and Somerset. It has been a long journey, and I am delighted that in approving the business case, the Home Office and Treasury have recognised the strength of these proposals and the value for money they will deliver. This project has met many tests for being affordable and cost effective for taxpayers and will provide many jobs for the local area.
"This much needed investment will deliver an important part of the Constabulary's programme to re-organise our workforce so they are where the public need them. It will provide flexible, responsive and sustainable buildings that will leave a lasting legacy for the delivery of police services in Avon and Somerset."
Jitesh Patel, Project Director at BBPI said, "This is a long-term partnership with the Authority and Constabulary, and a significant investment for the local area. We have designed highly sustainable buildings that are efficient and flexible to respond to future needs. Our local supply chain is keen to continue to engage with and provide opportunity for local business and employment."
Planning Applications for each of the four proposed developments will be submitted over the coming weeks. Financial close will take place in August 2012. Construction will commence in September 2012, with the first building completed in January 2014 and the last in March 2014. The SPC will then be responsible for delivering facilities management services (including cleaning, maintenance and energy management) once the buildings are completed.
