STOCKBRIDGE’S former police station could be converted into offices under a new plan.

King's Somborne-based developer Frobisher has submitted a planning application to change the use of the old police house and garage into office space, rather than the residential use it previously submitted plans for.

Frobisher bought the asset in 2015, and has decided it makes more sense financially for the station to become offices.

Frobisher managing director Nigel Wolstenholme said: “It’s pretty much what the police house was used for originally, they used it for offices.

“The cost of residential conversion was too high with that of cost and rents of offices, a house conversion costs 25 per cent more. A community infrastructure levy would be just under £20,000, that is a lot of money to add to a conversion cost.

“It just wasn’t worth paying that money.”

The space is currently being refurbished, taking out the front office desk to create a one room open plan and the garage will also be retained as a storage area.

Frobisher hopes to complete works ready for occupation this summer.

Mr Wolstenholme added: “Originally we bought it with view to move our own offices into there, in King's Somborne we had problems with super-fast broadband but since we got adequate broadband speeds, rather than sell it on we decided to keep it as an investment.

“One of its biggest selling points is five to six parking spaces. Its got its own secure car park, very interesting benefit if you look around any town’s car parking nowadays it doesn’t exist on site.”

The Neighbourhood Police Office moved into Stockbridge’s fire station in 2012 as part of costcutting measures by Hampshire Constabulary.

One resident has issued an objection to the plans for several reasons.

High Street resident Alex Lawrence said: “Residential accommodation is needed in Stockbridge and when the police station was considered no longer to be a community asset, residential accommodation within an unused property was welcomed.

“I believe offices to be unnecessary with no proven need for such a large scale office accommodation in Stockbridge.

“The council are very familiar with the parking issues in Stockbridge and the need for housing.

“This application would both exasperate the issues with parking and reduce a property suitable for conversion to residential use.”

To view the plan, go to testvalley.gov.uk/planning-and-building/viewplanningapplicationsonline and search for the reference 18/00456/FULLN.