Mayor stops short of confirming new use for South Yorkshire Police building vacated two years ago
“It is part of the plan going forward, so as the estate strategy is announced there will be a firm commitment with that space in particular”
A South Yorkshire Police office vacated two years ago is “part of a plan” for the force’s buildings, the Mayor of South Yorkshire has said.
Oliver Coppard said there would be a firm commitment about Nunnery Square when an estates strategy is announced.
But he stopped short of confirming whether the landmark building would be brought back into use, or a date for publication of the strategy.
Police moved out of the landmark building visible from the Parkway at the end of 2023.
Since then it has cost £451,054, a Freedom of Information response reveals.
The South Yorkshire Mayor is responsible for ‘the totality of policing’ in South Yorkshire and holding leadership to account.
Mayor Coppard said: “It is part of a broader estate strategy and is currently utilised for training.
“We have got a number of buildings across South Yorkshire and the force is growing. So we are keen to make the best use of all of that space.
“It’s not quite right to say it’s empty, it has been used for a number of things including training.
“It is part of the plan going forward, so as the estate strategy is announced there will be a firm commitment with that space in particular.”
Last week, South Yorkshire Police said a review of Nunnery Square was ongoing. And the building had been used for storage and police and fire training.
Responding on The Star’s Facebook page, Councillor Ian Horner said it was an issue he had raised “many times” in meetings of the Police and Crime Panel.
He added: “Finally they are now promising to sort it out.
“I suggested that if they were not going to use it then they could move Volker Rail in there to free up spaces in the now jam packed Park and Ride next to the police station.”
Star reader Mark Holmes said: “What takes two years to review? It’s a building. We either need it or we don’t. Plenty of office space around.”
And Tom Crookes added: “Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t matter when it’s not your money is it? There’s a bottomless pot of people who they can tax and tax more. Not a problem.”
Dave Renshaw said: “Someone needs to be made to provide an understandable explanation for this disgraceful situation.
“The Police Commissioner and the Chief Constable have a responsibility to the citizens of South Yorkshire and Sheffield in particular. Stand up and be counted or get out.”