Funding given to transform one of UK’s first police stations into affordable homes
Work has started transforming one of the country’s first purpose-built police stations into affordable housing after £4.5 million of funding was secured.
Having sat derelict since 2011, the former 19th century Prescot Police Station and law courts are being converted by housing association Prima Group into 13 shared ownership properties made up of apartments, bungalows and new houses. Prima Group is investing over £3 million supported by £780,000 from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme. Further contributions see £325,000 from Liverpool City Region’s Brownfield Fund, £200,000 from Knowsley Council’s Affordable Housing Access Fund and £170,000 of recycled capital grant.
Prima Group Chief Executive John Ghader said the funding is a “huge moment for Prescot” that has “secured the future of an historic and culturally important building”.
Opened in 1870, it was one of the country’s first purpose-built police stations. Keen to preserve the Derby Street building’s heritage, Prima Group is retaining a large number of original architectural and operational features to complement Prescot town centre’s conservation area. Boasting Gothic features, special brick detailing and carved stonework, the main building will be converted into seven apartments. Victorian period high vaulted ceilings and large glass brick windows will be kept while the former cells and judge’s changing quarters will be opened up to provide kitchen dining and living spaces in one of the ground floor apartments. The shape of the courtroom roof will be retained to form upper floor duplexes and a staircase that led prisoners from cells to the court room will become a feature of the communal area.
Externally, all sandstone brickwork will be cleaned and parts of the main façade will be repointed with lime mortar to further help return the old station to its original appearance. Outbuildings that were previously stables and used for storage will be redeveloped into two bungalows. In the courtyard, four energy efficient three-bedroom homes will be built all while staying in-keeping with the historical site by using brick facades and materials such as slate roofs and stone lintels.
The homes will benefit from an array of energy efficiency measures including smart technology thermostats, battery storage, low energy lighting, EV chargers and communal bike charging points. Instead of large panels, photovoltaic tiles will be discreetly installed using an inlaid system for a flush finish that blends into the roof.
Prima Group Chief Executive, John Ghader, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of Homes England, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council in helping us unlock this complex project and are really excited to see the finished scheme. Securing funding is a massive vote of confidence for Prescot and it is a really big success story on so many levels, not least because we have secured the future of a landmark building with significant heritage value that has been neglected for too long. It also means local people will have the chance to live in high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes full of character at a time when housing demand in the town is higher than ever.”
Catherine Holmes, Assistant Director of the North West region at Homes England, said: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting stakeholders of all sizes to achieve their ambitions."
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “We created the Affordable Housing Access Fund so that we could work in partnership with housing providers to deliver more affordable homes in the borough. I’m delighted that we are supporting Prima Group to transform this historic building into much-needed affordable homes which will meet local demand and I really look forward to seeing this project progress.”
Builder Wellcare Construction has been appointed to lead the work with residents expected to get their keys next summer. The completed scheme will significantly improve biodiversity on the site by introducing lawns, new planted areas and bird and bat boxes along with permeable paved surfaces to soften grounds that are currently fully tarmaced.
