Work has started on the new £35m Divisional Headquarters for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at Central Park in Newton Heath in east Manchester, just one and a half miles from Manchester city centre.

It will be built next to GMP's 240,000 sq ft Force Headquarters, which is currently under construction.

Greater Manchester's chief constable Peter Fahy joined colleagues Councillor Paul Murphy, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Authority, Caroline Ball, Chief Superintendent for the North Division, Nigel Allsop from Ask:Goodman, Eddie Smith from New East Manchester, Mike Hollows from the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Richard Jones from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to celebrate the start of work on site.


Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "This ceremony is a landmark moment in the programme of work to improve the services we are able to provide across north Manchester. This investment is will ensure we continue to meet the policing demands of the area and provide the best possible service to local people. The modern facilities will ensure we are better able to meet the needs of local communities."

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of urban regeneration company New East Manchester, added: "This is another major milestone for Central Park and east Manchester. Not only does it strengthen Central Park as an office destination but it will bring more jobs, investment and significant regeneration benefits for local people. Central Park is located just a mile and a half from the city centre, and with its dedicated Metrolink station, is proving a very attractive location."

The 125,273 sq ft Divisional Headquarters, which is expected to be completed in late 2011, is designed by Aedas, is being developed by Ask:Goodman.

(CD/GK)