The north-east’s biggest town could finally get a new police station – more than two decades after the idea was first proposed.
The force’s existing Merchant Street base in Peterhead – inside a former bank building – has long been deemed “not fit for purpose”.
But multimillion-pound plans for a new station and custody suite at Catto Way collapsed when planning permission on the site expired earlier this year.
Now the Press and Journal can reveal that the force is back on course with plans to build a more modest facility in Peterhead town centre.
Speaking publicly about the project for the first time, Inspector George Cordiner described the scheme as a “really exciting, positive proposal”.
“There have been discussions since the early 1990s about a new police station in Peterhead,” Insp Cordiner said.
“We don’t comply with equality legislation. That coupled with the fact the building is now a third unoccupied – the office itself is no longer fit for purpose.
“The reality is that we cannot remain in the station – it is not viable and in terms of costs to upgrade, it would be astronomical.”
The new plans, which are being spearheaded by Insp Cordiner and his local team, involve building a two-story extension to Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan House headquarters in the town.
The new building would include enough office space for all staff currently operating out of Merchant Street and would be built on the site of the former West End Bar. The pub has recently been demolished.
There would be parking space for 12 police vehicles, but there would be no new custody suite or secure compound, which the current station has.
The cell block at Merchant Street has been unused since 2004. Instead, custodies from the Peterhead area are transported to a central cell block in Fraserburgh.
“The days of having cells in every police office won’t happen,” Insp Cordiner said. “We need to staff them 24/7, which affects frontline services.
“Regardless of where we build in Peterhead there will not be a cell block.”
During talks with members of the town’s community council Insp Cordiner stressed the scheme remained a “proposal” and that a business case would have to be presented to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to secure funding.
The estimated cost of the station has not yet been made public.
Insp Cordiner said: “We’re at an early stage. I’ll be going to the other community councils and I’ve spoken to the area committee. I’m trying to capture everyone’s views.”
It is understood a number of other sites across the town have been considered, but that an extension to Buchan House is the preferred option.
“Other proposals have taken us out of the town centre, which is not great,” Insp Cordiner added.
“For me, I’d rather keep a town-centre location.”
The local policing team is aiming to submit a business proposal to the SPA by August and then work with Aberdeenshire Council officials to draw up a formal planning application.
Once planning permission is granted, the new station could be operational in as little as 12 months.
As part of the move the existing Merchant Street site would be sold off.
