Willmott Dixon is further enhancing its portfolio of blue light projects with a project to deliver the new £14m net-zero carbon Crewe Deployment Base for Cheshire Constabulary.

Designed by Corstorphine and Wright and procured via Procurement Hub, the new policing hub will house a number of the force’s departments within one facility. 300 staff will call the new building home, which will operate 24/7 for 365 days of the year and will help to provide the force with better access to whole of the local policing area, strategic road network and access into Crewe town centre.

To celebrate the start of work on the project, Willmott Dixon hosted Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire Dan Price, who is responsible for the police estate, and Connor Naismith MP for Crewe and Nantwich for a groundbreaking ceremony and first look at the site.

Supporting the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s sustainability ambitions as set out in the Police and Crime Plan, the new base will be Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCIO), reflecting the organisation’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The building has been designed with a fabric first approach and will include sustainable methods of construction including permeable paving, rainwater harvesting and will also include a green wall.

The project is expected to complete in early 2027 and represents a significant investment into policing in Cheshire.

Mike Poole-Sutherland, North West Director at Willmott Dixon said: “We are proud to play our part in ensuring Cheshire officers have the modern facilities and the very best support to provide the most efficient police service for the area. We also want to leave a legacy beyond bricks and mortar and will be supporting the Cheshire economy by using local businesses and creating local employment opportunities whenever possible during construction.”

Dan Price, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire said: “Modern policing needs modern infrastructure. This net-zero project in Crewe delivers on my commitment to modernise our policing estate, creating a smarter, sustainable working environment for officers. It’s an investment in the future of policing in Cheshire and I can’t wait to see the progress over the next year.”

Mark Roberts QPM, Chief Constable at Cheshire Constabulary said: “This is a further positive development in bringing our estate up to date following the opening of our new station at Wilmslow. It’s important that our officers, staff and the public have a modern police station in Crewe which is ideally placed to support the wider area. Cheshire is one of the best performing forces in the country and it is right that our buildings are best in class as well.”

Andrew Peck, Senior Client Relationship Manager at Procurement Hub said: “This project will provide another great example of how Procurement Hub is delivering in the blue light sector in partnership with Willmott Dixon. Procurement Hub has provided a compliant route to market for numerous police constabularies throughout the UK in recent years.

“The knowledge that has been obtained from a procurement perspective, enables early engagement for police constabularies, enabling projects to be delivered on time and on budget”

Creating a meaningful impact and long-term legacy in Cheshire, Willmott Dixon and its local supply chain partners will be supporting young people through the creation of T-Level and apprenticeship opportunities in addition to engaging with local school and college’s.