Wokingham

By Vicky Huntley ~ icBerkshire ~ Oct 27 2005

THE FATE of Wokingham's old police station will be decided by the district council's executive committee tonight (Thursday).

The 101-year-old building has been derelict since Thames Valley Police moved out two years ago and its future has been in debate ever since.

Shortlisted candidates who want to buy and redevelop the site are waiting expectantly for the executive's decision.

The select band of five includes action group Community at the Old Police Station (COPS), which wants to turn the Grade II-listed building into a community arts centre.

COPS submitted an application to land agents Lambert Smith Hampton to buy the derelict site on the corner of Rectory Road and Milton Road in May and found out it had made the shortlist in August.

Derek Hampshire, COPS member and chairman of Wokingham's Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our concerns are that this is one of Wokingham's last landmark buildings and it is in danger of becoming yet another housing development.

"For a developer to make any money out of the place it will have to put in high cost residential apartments with high density which will require the demolition of some of the listed parts of the site.

"This will be a huge nail in the coffin of Wokingham's intrinsic market town character and is totally inappropriate.

"But there is another way left to ensure the building is retained for the people of Wokingham.

"What we are proposing will create a dynamic hub and help to re-generate the west side of the town centre."

If COPS's bid to buy the building is successful, the venue will incorporate arts, music, comedy, dance, crafts, a cinema, a radio studio, a theatre, a heritage museum, rehearsal rooms, a café, bar and restaurant.

Thames Valley Police Authority, which co-owns the building with the district council, has made a recommendation to the executive.

Once the lead councillors have made their decision they will inform the land agents. They will then write to the applicants telling them if they have been successful. l The matter will be discussed by the council's decision-making executive in a private part of its meeting tonight, so the public will be excluded from hearing that agenda item.