Our plans

The story so far

Private Finance Initiative (PFI) was identified as the best way to achieve the ambitions of the Accommodation Programme and provide value for money over traditional procurement methods. The Home Office and Treasury have approved the rationale for the project on a number of occasions, most recently the interim full business case was approved in September 2011.


Following the established PFI process, Avon and Somerset Police has undergone a rigorous tender process to select a bidder to build and maintain the buildings for 25 years. From an initial selection of 13 bidders, Blue Light Partnership was chosen as the successful partner in January 2012.


Outline planning consent has been secured on four sites (detailed below) and a detailed planning application will be submitted for each site in January/February 2012.


It is anticipated that construction will begin in summer 2012 and the buildings will open from 2014, based on the designs provided by the preferred bidder.


The sites

The overall project includes the following, which will be funded by the PFI:

  • Somerset Operations Base at Express Park, including a Custody and Crime Investigation Centre, Specialist Operations and an Enquiry Office. Find out more

  • A Custody and Crime Investigation Centre and Police Station at 90 Gloucester Road, Patchway Find out more

  • A Custody and Crime Investigation Centre at Ashmead Road, Keynsham Find out more

  • A Tri-force Indoor Firearms Training Centre for Avon & Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire at Black Rock Quarry, near Portishead Find out more
Avon and Somerset Constabulary Avon and Somerset Police Authority