North East & Yorkshire

Fighting crime with the new £18 million Harrogate Police Station

Harrogate Police Station

Located on the outskirts of Harrogate, the new headquarters for North Yorkshire Police became fully operational on the 17th of May 2012.

The station replaces the authority’s previous 1930s-built base in the town centre and accommodates around 200 officers and a 16-cell custody block. It was designed by McBains Cooper and constructed by GB Building Solutions, who delivered the 15-month project at £2.8 million below the original budget.

Incorporating a range of renewable technologies – including air source heat pumps and photovoltaic cells – the building has been designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. Further sustainable measures include the use of new software to monitor the levels of CO2 emissions from the building and all traffic movements associated with the site, and the reuse of 20,000 cubic metres of soil removed during construction.

The new Harrogate Police Station features three entrances – custodial staff and public – each of which has a very distinct look and feel. In addition to the custody suite, the building also boasts interview rooms, office space, two vehicle docks and staff accommodation with associated facilities.

Several logistical challenges were posed by the tight and complicated site, including a class B aquifer and a perimeter of mature trees. However, by locating the custody element of the building below ground and within the landscape, the Police Authority was given a naturally secure environment in which to operate.

Chief Constable, Grahame Maxwell, commented:

“The need for a new station was identified many years ago, and I am delighted to see the project come to fruition. The completion of the build is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning by a team of highly-motivated and professional staff.

“Police officers and staff need the right tools for the job and a fitting working environment. The new facility will provide these essential basics for many years into the future, contributing to a first-class policing service for Harrogate communities while at the same time helping to reduce the force’s carbon footprint.”

Chairman of the North Yorkshire Police Authority (NYPA), Jane Kenyon, added:

“This new state-of-the-art station will provide a fantastic base for officers and improve the working conditions of many staff. The project has come in well under budget – almost £3 million – and that is absolute testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone working on this build.

“The gratitude of all the members of the North Yorkshire Police Authority is expressed not only to those involved, but also to the communities of the Harrogate Borough – who have worked with us to ensure that the project has been able to progress.”

UCS Renewables

UCS Renewables is a key element of the UCS Group that was formed in 2002. Specialising in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems they are superbly positioned with a dedicated team of estimators, designers, project managers and engineers, and backed by industry accreditations and certifications such as MCS, REAL, ISO: 9001 and CHAS to name just a few.

By working closely with existing clients such as Balfour Beatty Engineering Services, Laing O’Rourke and Integral, UCS was able to quickly establish a varied portfolio of commercial PV projects. UCS Renewables has worked on a number of key projects in the North East as well as further afield, including Harrogate Police Station, a 50kWp solar PV system at Roseberry Park in Middlesbrough and two new schools in Newcastle.

The Harrogate Police Station project was particularly important to UCS as the company played a vital role in designing the system as well as supplying the components and installing the equipment.

UCS Renewables Sales Manager, Matt Hawkins, said:

“The key to delivering the right solution for each individual project is through good communication and collaborative working with our clients.

“We pride ourselves on approaching each job independently and managing the requirements and expectations of consultants, architects, contractors and clients to achieve the best outcome in each of our business areas.”

For enquiries regarding both new build and retro-fit projects please contact UCS Renewables on 0845 9011144.

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