Andrew Liddle
A north-east MSP has warned that a “veil of uncertainty” is hanging over Aberdeen’s police headquarters after it emerged the building is rated as one of the worst in Scotland.
The Queen Street head office, which Police Scotland inherited from Grampian Police three years ago, was among only three buildings across the country to be given a ‘bad’ rating.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that of 54 police buildings in the north-east, 29 were given the best rating, 15 were rated satisfactory and nine poor.
Conservative MSP Ross Thomson said the state of the Queen Street headquarters “begs the question” of whether the building was “suitable and indeed safe”.
David Seath, head of estates for Police Scotland, responded that the force was undertaking building repairs as part of a “rolling programme” to create a “sustainable operating model for our service”.
But Mr Thomson said he has written to the force to “seek clarity” on the future of the “prominent building”.
He added: “There has been speculation locally and in the press for some years now that the force will move out of Queen Street and relocate elsewhere in the city or even to Aberdeenshire.
“There is even provision for the relocation within the city council’s masterplan for future development in the area.
“Now, we hear that the building is in a state of disrepair, and one of only three in the country given the worst possible rating in the condition survey.
“This begs the question as to whether this property is a suitable and indeed safe environment for the local force to be based. There is a veil of uncertainty over its future that needs to be addressed.”
Police Scotland confirmed it did not comment on individual buildings, but said another condition survey of its estate was currently being carried out.
Mr Seath added: “Police Scotland has identified its priorities for building repairs and these will be undertaken, subject to available resources.
“The programme of repairs will take many years to complete as it is a rolling programme.
“Where the cost of repairs is exceptionally high, Police Scotland will look at alternatives to making repairs in line with the estate strategy.
“We continue to examine all opportunities to share resources with relevant partners.
“There are already numerous examples of this across the country.”