Surrey Police has submitted its planning application for the development of its Eastern Divisional Headquarters in Leatherhead.

Following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the construction of Reigate Police Station in September 2023, the Eastern Divisional HQ was temporarily based at the former Surrey Fire & Rescue Services headquarters at Wray Park in Reigate.

A number of options across the east of the county were reviewed, and a recommendation was approved last year at the Estates Strategy Board to base the Eastern Divisional HQ on a site on Cleeve Road in Leatherhead.

This site, the former Electrical Research Association and Cobham Industries site, was purchased by Surrey Police in 2018 with a view to developing a new, purpose-built Force headquarters.

However, following a review of the programme in November 2021, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Surrey Police Chief Officer team took the decision to retain Mount Browne, in Guildford, as the Force Headquarters, and redevelop the existing site.

Surrey Police says the site at Leatherhead will provide it with the opportunity to build a bespoke, permanent, Divisional Headquarters that will be sustainable, environmentally friendly, and ensure officers and staff have the facilities they need to investigate crime and keep communities safe.

In addition to the planning application for part of the site to become the Force’s Eastern Divisional HQ, an application has also been submitted to develop an area of the site into affordable housing.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “Submitting this planning application is a key step in our journey to building a permanent location for us to deliver our policing operations for our communities in East Surrey. Our focus throughout these early stages has been on finding a site that will enable our staff and officers to be there for us when our communities need us most, to prevent and investigate crime, and to keep people safe. Having an Eastern Divisional HQ that is fit for purpose, serving both the public and our teams, is vital. Progressing with this application will enable us to create an environment where we can all achieve this. This is an exciting development that will further support Surrey Police continuing performance improvements.”