Two former police stations in Fife look set to be sold off over the coming months as part of Police Scotland’s new estates strategy.
Howe of Fife Police Station in Auchtermuchty and Tay Coast Police Station in Newport, both of which have been closed for a number of years, have been declared surplus to requirements and are expected to be disposed of.
The move comes after the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) backed the force’s estates strategy, which aims to ensure Police Scotland’s infrastructure is fit for purpose.
The Auchtermuchty and Newport sites have lain vacant since 2013, and local politicians and community councils are being asked to have their say on the disposal proposals before November 30.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said the force no longer had an “operational requirement” to retain the stations in question.
“Whilst the stations are no longer in operational use, they continue to incur running costs, as well as the cost of ongoing repairs and maintenance which does not deliver best value,” the spokesman said.
More Fife sites could yet be sold off and, although the strategy did not identify specific buildings for disposal when it was approved in May, the document did highlight an intention to reinvest £150 million of sales back into Police Scotland buildings as part of £400 million investment required.
Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said: “Some buildings are no longer in the right place, operationally fit for purpose or designed in a way which allows us to work alongside key delivery partners.”