Shock as UK town's police station goes up for sale on Rightmove
The 3,692 sq m property boasts a reception, office space, a custody suite, and holding cells.
A West Midlands police station has been listed as a "prime development opportunity" on Rightmove after it was deemed "too big" for the local force.
Sutton Coldfield Police Station near Birmingham is now for sale on Rightmove Commercial, with the price being revealed upon application.
The 3,692 sq m property boasts a reception, office space, a custody suite, and holding cells. Other features of the property include locker rooms, parking, and a separate single storey storage block outside.
Located on Lichfield Road, the four-storey police station was listed because it was "too large for the needs of front line policing".
The force has now been relocated to a more "appropriate, proportionate and fit-for-purpose base", according to the office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)
A PCC spokesperson told the BBC: "We want to reassure residents that the Public Contact Office, neighbourhood and response officers will relocate to their new base, before the current site is sold."
In a move that would also reduce operating costs, the decision to relocate the force was made in 2018. In 2023, the news was announced, making it one of a number of police stations closing across the region.
The listing reads: "Sutton Coldfeld Police Station is located on Lichfeld Road (A5127), which is the main arterial route through Sutton Cold?eld to Birmingham and Lich?eld.
"The town is located 8 miles north east of Birmingham city centre, 11.5 miles east of Walsall and 8.4 miles south west of Tamworth.
"The town benefts from excellent road communications with the M6 (J6/7) and the M6 Toll motorway in close proximity providing access to the M6 North. J9 M42 is within 5 miles offering good access to the national motorway network.
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"There are parking spaces to the front and rear of the property and a single point of vehicular access from the Lichfield Road. The total gross internal floor area is 39,737 sq ft on a site of approximately 1.153 acres.
"The premises have been used as a police station with custody suite and holding cells. This operation is classed as as Sui Generis within the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order.
"Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries with Birmingham City Council Planning Department."
