Plans for ex police station

The developer behind plans to turn Kirkby’s former police station into a house of multiple occupancy says he wants to bring life back into the empty building.
Former Police station, Victoria Road, Kirkby In AshfieldFormer Police station, Victoria Road, Kirkby In Ashfield
Former Police station, Victoria Road, Kirkby In Ashfield

Proposals have been put forward by Hunter Property Limited to Ashfield District Council to turn the Victoria Road property into a 10 bedroom house and an office.

And after residents raised concerns about the type of person who might live in such a development, the company’s director Nigel Barnes moved to allay their fears.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What we are focusing on is a high-end, quality HMO (house of multiple occupancy). A lot of the rooms have en-suites and it’s going to be nicely fitted out,” he said.

“We hope it’s going to appeal to young professionals, maybe working in Nottingham, who need a place to put their head.

“It’s a very, very convenient location.”

Neighbours had told Chad they were worried about the effect that bad tenants might have on their lives, having heard stories of problems at other HMOs in the area.

John Gregory, of Victoria Road, said: “It’s not out of snobbery or ‘not in my back yard’ at all.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“On the other hand, you don’t want your lifestyle swept away by God knows what.”

John is also concerned about a lack of consultation - with many of his neighbours knowing nothing about the proposals.

However Ashfield District Council said that it has consulted immediate properties and displayed a site notice, adding that there is still time for residents to make comments on the plans.

The planning application states that the house would have 10 bedrooms with in-room dining space, a laundry room, four kitchens, seven shower rooms and a separate WC. There will be cycle parking and seven car parking spaces.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The office would occupy around one-third of the ground floor and would be used by Hunter Property.

Nigel added: “By converting it, it will bring a bit of life back to that part. It’s a beautiful old building and we will put a bit of life back into it.”

The planning application will be considered by planning officers rather than the council’s planning committee, with a decision expected by the end of the month.