Application process for new GMP HQ begins

Greater Manchester Police's planned headquarters.

Design details of a proposed new Greater Manchester Police (GMP) headquarters building were submitted for planners’ approval on Friday (7 November).

The reserved matters planning application dealt with issues including design and access to the proposed six storey building at Central Park Business Park off Oldham Road in Manchester.

Work to relocate GMP’s HQ building began after it was established that the current tower block, Chester House, is at the end of its economical life as a headquarters.

Central Park was selected and Ask Goodman appointed as the preferred developer in March 2007 following a lengthy procurement process.

Since then, significant work has taken place to ensure the relocation plan pursued meets operational policing need in the most cost effective way.

Steps have also been taken to ensure GMP staff and officers affected by any relocation are fully involved.

This will include HQ operational teams such as Local Policing, support functions including Corporate Development & Performance and the Counter Terrorism Unit.

The cost of relocation, should it be approved by, firstly, planners and then GMPA, is in the region of £60 million. This will be funded by GMPA and a Government grant.

Only if the full business case is approved when it is presented to GMPA in the Spring will the Authority be legally committed to the development.