THE former police station in Barnard Castle will be put up for sale after Durham Police’s crime commissioner announced his next move after his bid to sell the nearby open space was defeated.
Durham Police had hoped to sell both the former police station and the land next door to Railway Housing Association which wanted to build bungalows.
But residents and Barnard Castle Town Council successfully campaigned to have the open space declared a village green, preventing any potential development. This threw Durham Police’s plans in doubt.
Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg then suggested that one option was to use the former station “innovatively to support community safety in the area” .
However, he has now announced that the site will be put up for sale for development so it can raise money for the force.
Mr Hogg met Barnard Castle Town Council last Friday to agree a way forward.
In a joint statement, mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse and Mr Hogg said: “This morning’s meeting was a giant step forward.
“We acknowledged that as representatives of the people, we have a duty to work together for the benefit of all our communities. We reflected on our previous differing positions on the future of Bede Kirk, and gained a better mutual understanding of the challenges we are facing.
“We further agreed four next steps that we would take. First, we agreed to work closely together on the future of the site at Bede Kirk, and on community safety issues in Barnard Castle more generally.
“Secondly, the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner has decided that his preferred option for the remainder of the site that has not been designated a village green is to put it up for sale for development.
“This would ensure that some capital receipt from the site is available for Durham Constabulary, and enables him to comply with his legal duty to secure best value from his assets. The town council respects this position, and agreed to support the process as appropriate. Thirdly, we agreed that the police should not be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Bede Kirk village green, as this would require resources to be spent that should be available for local policing. We agreed that the long term protection and enjoyment of the space would best be supported if it were the responsibility of local people, and we agreed to work to find a solution to give effect to this.
“Fourthly, we agreed we would hold a meeting for local residents to discuss next steps. We will be looking to schedule this as soon as is practical.”
Mr Hogg said he also congratulated the members of the council on their successful campaign.
