A new ‘imposing three storey’ police building has been given planning approval despite the public’s concerns over privacy.

The purpose-built centre, to be built on land southwest of Avonbury Business Park, Howes Lane, Bicester, will become the main forensics hub for Thames valley Police, containing laboratories, new digital technologies and dedicated training facilities.

The development is part of a wider improvement programme to transform forensic services across the force area.

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The forensic improvement programme will reportedly see significant investment over the next three years to transform Thames Valley Police’s forensic services, improving investigations and the outcomes for victims.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said: “The programme is the result of a review of Thames Valley Police’s forensics services as a whole where we’ve identified the need to modernise facilities and increase capacity.

“In a world of rapidly advancing technology, ensuring the police stay on the cutting edge of forensics is crucial to keeping the public safe.

“Whether crimes such as burglaries, sexual offences or digital crimes the police need to get ahead of the criminals.

“In addition to the increased number of community police officers already announced as part of this year’s budget, the significant investment in forensics, including the new centre at Bicester, will improve the speed and quality of investigations by those frontline officers across Thames Valley to help deliver justice for victims and ultimately help to cut crime.”

A number of householders living nearby the future development site – where work on the centre is due to begin in the summer and be completed in winter 2024/25 – expressed concerns on Cherwell council’s planning portal.

Philip Gillard, of Coleridge Close in Bicester, said: “I object to this very imposing three storey building which is totally out of proportion in an existing area of single storey bungalows on the Kings Meadow estate.

“Many of the residents would lose privacy in their gardens and homes due to the extensive use of glazing, and the height of the building.”

Another member of the public, Geoff Clark, who lives on Buckingham Road in Bicester, said: “I object on the grounds that the proposed facility is located too far forward on its plot and will be too close, and too imposing on the existing single storey homes.

“At a height totally out of proportion to existing dwelling and commercial buildings, it is not in keeping with the current character of the area or present street scene.”

The Countryside Charity (CPRE) also objected on a number of grounds, raising the question of whether Thames Valley Police could have undergone more pre consultation communication with the communities nearest the development site.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1