West Midlands Police drawing up Oldbury custody suite plans
A new police custody suite which would house prisoners from across the Black Country will be built in Oldbury, under new plans being drawn up by West Midlands Police.
The force wants to build the new block, which will also include office space on vacant land at Bromford Lane, close to Sandwell and Dudley railway station.
If approved by councillors the building which would be located on a 3.4 acre site, would house 60 cells, holding rooms, interview rooms, consultation rooms, evidence gathering rooms and offices.
Police chiefs have previously said they would look to build so-called super-blocks close to junction nine of the M6 and another in the Halesowen/Stourbridge area.
They would also work with other Midland forces to pool resources under plans that could see outdated cells at police stations close. Meanwhile the £10m West Bromwich police station which opened on Moor Street in 2011 was not built with a custody suite.
A formal planning application has not yet been submitted to Sandwell Council for the latest scheme.
However, police bosses have submitted a request for a screening opinion.
This application asks the council for an opinion on whether or not the development should be subject to environmental impact assessment.
Documents have also been submitted which include detailed plans and artist impressions.
Planning documents state the building, called the Western Area Custody Suite, would provide police custodial facilities and associated investigative office space and will serve the western area of the West Midlands.
