Willmott Dixon has increased its portfolio of blue light projects after being selected by West Yorkshire Police to deliver a flagship new headquarters for the Kirklees district.

Procured using the SCAPE construction framework, it will be built on Halifax Road at the site of the former Dewsbury College and deliver approximately 10,000m2 of accommodation including a new custody suite, property store, atrium, lockers, gym, public front of house, and all associated ancillary areas.

The project will also see a full refurbishment of the attractive Oldroyd building, restoring the 1880s structure to form a key part of the site that houses the majority of key flexible office space for the new headquarters. Furthermore, parking will be provided through the delivery of a split level multi-storey car park and separate surface parking. Work on the new headquarters will start later this month, with the site to be operational by the end of 2024.

Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said:

“It is exciting news that construction is now poised to begin on site at Halifax Road.

“We have written to local residents to advise of the start of construction and are committed to maintain communications with those living nearby as work progresses.”

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe added:

“I’m really glad to see the plans for this flagship station in Kirklees now beginning to take shape. It represents a new era for policing in the District, delivering both innovation and opportunity.

“Both the Mayor of West Yorkshire and I are excited to see this work continue to develop over the coming months, which will ultimately enable us to deliver against our Police and Crime Plan for the county.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the north said:

“We are proud to be working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police to support the modernisation of its estate, and are excited to play our part in delivering a state-of-the-art environment for those who work around the clock to keep us all safe.

“It is vital that officers have the right facilities reflecting modern ways of working, and the very best support they need to serve the people of West Yorkshire. We are focused on leaving a lasting legacy beyond bricks and mortar and that’s why we will be supporting the Kirklees economy and West Yorkshire police initiatives by using local businesses and creating local employment opportunities whenever possible.”

Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, said:

“Successful levelling-up of communities around the UK hinges on delivering quality public services and the facilities to support them. The new headquarters in Kirklees represents West Yorkshire Police’s ambition to improve the community and its policing, as well as demonstrating how government funding can be channeled effectively. I’m confident that the best-in-class local delivery team, led by Willmott Dixon, will deliver a project the community can be proud of.”

The delivery of a new Kirklees district headquarters for West Yorkshire Police represents the latest in Willmott Dixon’s proud history of delivering innovative facilities to meet the needs of modern policing. In October, the company handed over the £48m landmark headquarters for Merseyside Police at Rose Hill, creating a modern facility to house more than 1,100 officers and police staff in a building that is anticipated to save the force approximately £250,000 a year on its running costs.

The company is also on site in Bedfordshire, delivering a £18m custody suite for Bedfordshire Police. Furthermore, near Hull, the company is delivering a £20m building to house Humberside Police’s control centre and other specialist services.