Redundant stations set for sell-off

Report says buildings are no longer needed, with many empty

Redundant police stations across Tayside and Fife look set to be sold off.

Police Scotland is to seek permission from the Scottish Police Authority tomorrow to begin a three-month public consultation over the future of 53 properties across Scotland which are no longer required.

They include 10 in Tayside and Fife, as well as the old Dundee police mortuary, which is being transferred to Dundee University.

All the properties have been identified by local police commanders as surplus to requirements and almost all of them no longer perform an active policing purpose.

The properties have been selected following a detailed review of the entire Police Scotland estate.

Of the 53 properties identified for potential disposal, 43 are not used to permanently base officers or staff and are empty, some for a number of years.

Ten are used as a base, though these staff can be relocated to other permanent facilities while still maintaining services, says the report to the SPA meeting in Inverness.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cowie said: “Police Scotland inherited a large estate.

“The review was conducted to ensure it is fit for purpose and reflects the changing nature of policing and can

support service delivery to local communities.

“There are a large number of properties currently empty, or soon to become empty. However, they still have associated running costs. Such a position does not provide best value.

“While we have identified a number of properties across Scotland that we consider no longer required to provide policing services and we are recommending these properties be disposed of, no decision will be made on the future of any of our police stations until we have carried out this process.”

The police station at Brook Street, Broughty Ferry is one of those earmarked for possible sale.