A DECISION to refurbish rather than replace a town's police station has been announced this week. 

Yeovil Police Station, which was due to be replaced with a brand new facility, is now set to be refurbished instead. The plans for the new build site at Horsey Lane, which were announced in 2020, have been scrapped due to Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic leading to an increase in costs. 

READ MORE: Plans for Yeovil Police Centre to replace police station

Now, the Yeovil site will be refurbished to include space for an enquiry office, frontline officers, and specialist operation teams. 

MP for Yeovil, Marcus Fysh, welcomed this news. 

"Welcome news that Avon & Somerset have today notified their formal decision to invest in refurbishing #Yeovil Police station rather than move to another site," he said. 

"They will use it as a hub in South Somerset for their front line and specialist operational teams.

"Thank you to Mark Shelford our terrific Police & Crime Commissioner and our excellent Chief Constable Sarah Crew for recognising the importance our community places on this vital local service location for the reduction of crime and antisocial behaviour."

On Tuesday, April 11, the Governance Scrutiny Board at Avon and Somerset Police discussed the next steps with regards to the site. 

The new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Shelford, approved an outline business case recommendation to invest in refurbishment of the existing police station on Horsey Lane. 

He said: “I am delighted that we have a clear plan for this Yeovil site and believe that this investment will create an important South Somerset Hub for a range of frontline and specialist operational police teams to work from.

"Together they will be able to provide an effective and efficient service for Yeovil and the surrounding communities.

“These teams are currently co-located with our Somerset County Council partners in Brympton Way. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all of their time and ongoing support whilst this work is carried out.”

The designs and final business case will be developed and presented to the PCC by the end of the year, with construction starting in 2024. 

During this period, the police teams will continue to be a tenant of Somerset County Council, in Brympton Way. There will be a temorary enquiry office open to members of the public at Horsey Lane.