Council approves sale of Lincoln House to create modern police hub
St Helens is preparing to move policing out of the College Street station and into a new town-centre hub after the council this week approved the sale of Lincoln House and part of Birchley Street car park to the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
The decision paves the way for a long-term estates strategy by Merseyside Police to replace older buildings with modern facilities across the region. Council papers set out how the current station site would be handled once operations transfer to the proposed hub.
- The council will buy the College Street site from the PCC after relocation.
- Demolition of the existing police station and construction of replacement public parking will be considered through the council’s capital gateway process.
- Part of the capital receipt from the Lincoln House sale would fund the replacement parking provision.
The move is described in council documentation as intended to restore public parking spaces that would be lost on Birchley Street as the new hub is developed. The documents say the purchase of the replacement parking site would be funded from part of the capital receipt from the sale of Lincoln House.
"The existing police station on College Street is no longer fit for the demands of modern policing," the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said, adding it was "increasingly costly to maintain", failed to meet sustainability standards and did not provide the environment officers, staff and communities deserve.
Spurrell described the proposed hub as a "major long-term investment in policing within the borough" and said it would deliver a modern, efficient and sustainable facility.
What this means for the College Street site and town-centre drivers
Under the proposed arrangement, the council would acquire the College Street site from the PCC once policing operations relocate to Lincoln House. A detailed scheme to demolish the existing station and provide replacement parking facilities will be brought forward for future consideration through the council’s capital gateway process, the report says.
That process means residents can expect further reports and approvals as plans are developed and funding is confirmed. Any demolition and construction work would follow the council’s capital governance, giving councillors and officers formal opportunities to scrutinise proposals before contracts are let.
| Site | Planned action |
|---|---|
| Lincoln House | Sale to Merseyside PCC to create new policing hub |
| College Street police station | Council to acquire site; demolition and replacement parking scheme to be developed |
| Birchley Street car park | Part sold to PCC; parking spaces to be replaced as part of scheme |
For local people, the immediate practical issues are straightforward: where will police services be based during and after the move, how long will changes take, and when will the council's replacement parking appear? The council report makes clear the funding route — part of the sale receipt from Lincoln House — but it does not set a timetable in the public documents released this week.
Context and consequences
The plan sits within Merseyside Police’s broader estates strategy, which aims to move away from older, costly-to-run premises and put staff into more energy-efficient, fit-for-purpose buildings. For the borough, the transfer could mean improved facilities for officers and a fresh opportunity to rethink a central site in St Helens town centre.
There are potential local benefits: replacement parking could restore spaces lost to redevelopment, and a new hub may bring modern public-facing services into a more central location. Conversely, demolition and construction will be disruptive and will require careful planning to manage traffic, access and conservation issues in the town centre.
Next steps involve detailed proposals to be worked up under the council’s capital gateway process and future cabinet consideration. Residents and businesses will want clear timelines and guarantees that parking provision is maintained while works proceed.
This development is a significant moment in the town’s fabric — a council asset sold for a policing investment that in turn frees up a central site for public use. It is the sort of straightforward, practical change that quietly reshapes how people move around and access services in St Helens.
