Trinity Road police station in Bristol to be demolished for new apartments | Bristol Live

Police say it will not affect the number of officers patrolling the area

A planning application has been submitted to demolish Trinity Road police station in Old Market and build 'affordable' housing in its place.

If the application is successful, 104 new apartments for shared ownership or social rent will be built on the site, and part of the ground floor will also be set aside to create a new police station.

Avon and Somerset Police has sold the site to The Guinness Partnership, one of the largest affordable housing and care providers in England.

READ MORE: Clifton House Hotel in Bristol to be turned into luxury apartments

Ed Barnes, development director at The Guinness Partnership, said: "Our planning application, if approved by the council, will see us delivering much need affordable housing in Bristol as well as a new space to ensure the police can continue to have a local presence.

"We are committed to building new homes and creating communities in Bristol, and across the country."

It is intended that work on the site will commence in summer 2022, with the housing completed and ready for residents to move in by spring 2024.

Avon and Somerset Police say that, in its current form, the station no longer meets the needs of the local community, police officers and staff.

During construction, police officers and staff would be temporarily based at nearby locations in Bristol until they can return to the new Trinity Road station.

And the police force is assuring local residents that their staff will continue to be active in the area, with the same number of police officers and PCSOs on patrol as usual.

Police announced plans to sell the site in 2018 and said it had become "too large and expensive". A major charity drive was launched the following year to turn it into a new arts and community hub, but those plans are now looking unlikely.

Mark Shelford, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, said: "I am pleased The Guinness Partnership has submitted plans for a development at Trinity, which will serve as a base for local policing teams and provide a community enquiry office for Bristol East, as well as creating new homes for local people.

“These plans aim to ensure police staff have a refurbished, fit-for-purpose, station and the public have access to an enquiry office as part of the development.

"I know how important it is to residents and local businesses that there continues to be a visible and accessible neighbourhood policing presence in the area."

We want to hear your thoughts on this story, so please log in and leave your comment below.