Plans for a new police station on the outskirts of Crewe have been recommended for approval.

Cheshire Police wants to build the new offices and deployment base on land to the west of David Whitby Way at Basford East.

The new building will replace the existing town centre police station which no longer meets operational requirements and also has issues relating to asbestos and RAAC.

Cheshire Police wants to build the new offices and deployment base on land to the west of David Whitby Way at Basford East (CEC Planning).

The application is due to be considered on Wednesday by Cheshire East's strategic planning board.

A report from a council planning officer says: "A supporting statement sets out that Cheshire Police are committed to retain a presence in Crewe town centre, in the form of a police hub to enable continued, direct public access to police service.

"Although details need to be finalised and suitable premises secured, it is stated that the hub will be operational prior to the closure of the existing police station."

In relation to the application itself, the planning officer says there are siting and design concerns which weigh against the proposal, 'and it is disappointing that the direct line of the proposed east-west active travel route is disrupted'.

"The large expanses of parking and constraints of the site also limit availability of landscaping which is driven by the requirements and understandable security needs of police operations," says the report.

But it adds: "Whilst important issues, these matters do need to be balanced against the benefits resulting from the new Crewe deployment base in this location.

The new Crewe Police Station will replace the existing town centre building, which no longer meets operational requirements and also has issues relating to asbestos and RAAC (Ryan Parker).

"Such benefits include the provision of modern purpose-built facility to accommodate frontline response and key investigatory departments.

"It will allow the deployment of officers across the whole of the local policing area with better access to strategic road network with easy access into Crewe town centre and throughout the wider urban area."

The report says that while new homes located opposite the site may be subject to noise and disturbance from police vehicles leaving the deployment base, including during the night, 'this would be on a very infrequent basis, and consequently the proposals would not amount to an unacceptable impact on residential amenity'.

The proposed development includes a two-storey, flat roofed building faced in brickwork and also incorporates a living green wall wrapping around three sides of an attached store adjoining its rear elevation.

The building is set within secure car parking areas which provide a total of 206 spaces.

Access to the site, as well as car parking is from Mill Farm Drive, via two security-gated access points.

Weston and Crewe Green Parish Council has expressed concerns about the increase in traffic which will converge on the central roundabout on David Whitby Way (CEC Planning).

The building will accommodate approximately 300 staff and operate on a 24-hour basis, 365 days of the year.

Weston and Crewe Green Parish Council has expressed concerns about the increase in traffic which will converge on the central roundabout on David Whitby Way.

The strategic planning board meeting takes place at 10.30am on Wednesday 23 July at Crewe Municipal Buildings.

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