A former police station which closed two years ago is now being torn down to make way for up to 86 retirement apartments. The developer says the project should "significantly improve local housing choice for older people in West Bridgford".
The retirement apartments are planned at the former Nottinghamshire Police base in Rectory Road, and they will come alongside freshly landscaped gardens and on-site car parking. Officers who had been based at the police station moved into a shared site with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in Loughborough Road in September of 2020.
McCarthy Stone, described as the UK's leading retirement home developer, purchased the site and plans were revealed in March. The company, based in Bournemouth, hauled in more than £700m in revenue in 2019.
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Katie Fisher, the divisional managing director at McCarthy Stone, said: “The development will be ideal for residents in the area who wish to retain their independence, in their own home, while accessing a warm, fun, and caring community of friendly neighbours.” The firm's planning application submission to Rushcliffe Borough Council follows a consultation process held in the area.
The former police station is now being demolished and a new building will front onto the corner of Rectory Road and Bridgford Road, with the complex also set to include shared facilities for homeowners, including a residents' lounge and guest suite.
Craig Guildford, the current chief constable at Nottinghamshire Police, who will soon be leaving after five years to take up the same role in the West Midlands, had said profits from the sale would be re-invested into policing. Mr Guildford looks set to be replaced by the deputy chief constable in Derbyshire, Kate Meynell, who, before moving across the border, had first joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1993.
Of the development, Mr Guildford said previously: “The move to the local fire station has allowed us to further improve our partnership working with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service whilst ensuring Rushcliffe continues to have an excellent frontline policing offer in the community it serves, especially with the additional officers we have posted there as part of Operation Reacher. Any disposals are always re-invested by the PCC into policing. This helps us put more officers on to the streets whilst lowering our non-pay costs."
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