The county council could be in line for a sizeable pay-day after Northamptonshire’s police commissioner reiterated his determination to sell-off Wootton Hall.
PCC Adam Simmonds this week told a press briefing how he “will” push through plans to sell off Northamptonshire Police’s headquarters in Northampton.
He said the move could see part of the estate, which is based off Mereway, retained for police to use for certain functions, but said he believed the vast majority of functions the site currently serves could be met elsewhere.
He mentioned the possibility of moving the force’s garage and vehicle maintenance team to Moulton Park, where the fire service is based, while the force firing range and call centre could remain at Wootton Hall. Mr Simmonds said he was determined to push through with the move during his term in office, which will last a minimum of three-and-a-half years.
Once the estate is sold, Northamptonshire County Council is likely to receive a substantial pay-off.
The council owns approximately 55 per cent of the park, with Northamptonshire Police owning the rest.
The joint ownership may open up the financial possibility of the police moving into new county council offices in Angel Street, in Northampton town centre.
Mr Simmonds said: “The challenge will come as I set this budget and look towards the next four-year period, how am I going to make Northamptonshire Police the greatest and the best and the brightest in the country?
“Some of it will be moving out of this building and looking at what a police station will look like in the 21st Century.”
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