Hucknall residents have put forward ideas on what to do with the old police station

Last August, Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping, and Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, Craig Guildford, offered up the large Watnall Road police station free of charge.

The force said it could be open for business as soon as September 2020 and was even visited by government officials on more than one occasion.

The site was picked after the neighbourhood police team had moved out of Hucknall police station to the East Midlands ambulance station in Annesley Road which they with firefighters and paramedics.

T he facility on Watnall Road is currently empty and ready for use.

However, the plans were refused by the Ministry of Justice.

A HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokesman said: “The building did not meet the safety and security requirements and would have needed significant investment to be suitable.”

However, people have been putting their ideas forward on what could be done with the building on The Dispatch’s Facebook page including a homeless shelter, Primark, a doctor’s surgery or demolishing it.

Karl Bond said: “It's all bordered up and will be pulled down to make way for 24 houses on the site.”

Terii Louise said: “Primark or some kind of decent clothes shop.”

Kirby Sharp Pykett said: “This is sad. A whole empty building and a local homeless man sleeps over the road. So sad someone couldn’t open this to help them out.”

Michelle Robinson said: “Thought they had plans to put 24 houses there. I’ve had a letter plus plans showing houses.”

Lauren Fowkes said: “Maybe a place for the homeless so they’ve got shelter and food cooked daily for them.”

Rich Hancock said: “Rip it down.”

Tom Boot said: “Turn it into flats to home the homeless families and people who will no doubt need them.”

Claire Brahaj said: “Maybe a doctors as we are swamped due to new housing.”

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