Police want to move from their “tired” Aberdeen headquarters to new premises within the next two years.
The force want to relocate from their Queen Street base to share Aberdeen City Council’s Marischal College and Aberdeenshire’s Council’s Woodhill House.
Papers presented to the Scottish Police Authority’s meeting yesterday said it was hoped the move would begin by spring 2021.
The report reads: “There will, however, be legal implications associated with the sale, and disposal of existing estate in Queen Street, Aberdeen, and lease arrangements, along with legal conveyancing in respect of the public mortuary and the areas owned by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.
“If the full business case is approved, and following relocation of staff and full decant of the Queen Street building, the property will be declared surplus and disposed of in line with the Scottish public finance manual.
“While the work and timeline is dependent upon a number of external factors which fall out with the control of the project and Police Scotland, it is anticipated the full business case will be completed in early 2020.
“This could allow for transition to commence around spring 2021.”
Ambitious council plans are also on the table for the area, who envisage a £150million regeneration as part of their 25-year city centre masterplan.
As part of the long-term scheme, the area would have flats and new shops added to encourage more people to live in the city centre.
Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins told the meeting: “Our intention is moving out of our tired accommodation in Queen Street and into Marischal College and Woodhill House.
“We also have the option to reflect on our existing estate in the city.
“It’s absolutely clear we have the opportunity to become together and deliver integration to a new level.”