Plans given green light to transform Batley police station into new apartments

Kirklees Council approved plans to create nine apartments in the two-storey building.

The police station closed in July 2018 and officers were relocated to Heckmondwike Police Station.

A spokesman from planning consultants Riyat Associates Ltd, said: “The proposal represents a substantial investment that will bring a vacant historic building back into use and safeguard its future, and provide much-needed housing stock to the town centre.”

In 2019 West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson said the building would be sold off as part of a review of land and property caused by Government cuts of £140 million since 2010.

He blamed ‘sustained austerity’ and said the building was no longer fit for the needs of modern-day policing.

The building, initially marketed for £345,000, went to auction in February 2020 and, according to the website of property auctioneers Pugh, was sold for £246,000.

The traditional stone building in Market Place is not listed but is within the Market Place Conservation Area.

Two nearby buildings - Batley Town Hall and Batley Art Gallery - are grade II listed.

The old police station has a cell area but there was no information about what will happen to it.

A planning application, submitted by Mr A.R. Hussain, of Ravensthorpe, said the building will undergo minimal external alteration and timber window frames will be retained.

The building will have three one-bedroomed and two two-bedroomed flats on the ground floor and three one-bedroomed flats and one two-bed on the first floor.

A terrace will be created at the rear, but would not be visible from the front.

There is no car parking but bike storage will be built.

In the decision notice granting approval, a council officer said the loss of a community building was acceptable as it was no longer needed. The plans met Government policy for sustainable development.