PLANS to remodel part of Christchurch fire station to make room for Dorset Police officers have been submitted.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have submitted plans to build a new Land Rover garage and remodel parts of the existing fire station building on Fairmile Road.

The Daily Echo revealed last year that Dorset Police officers could share the fire station base, when the police station at Barrack Road closes.

The station shut to the public in March last year, but is currently being used by the Safer Neighbourhood Teams as well as temporarily by officers from Boscombe police station after their premises flooded.

It is hoped the shared site will ultimately provide a more efficient service to the community.

A planning statement submitted with the application said: "The use of the building as a whole time and retained fire station with community access will continue.

"This site sharing proposal is intended to provide new workplace accommodation to enable Dorset Police to relocate to new premises in Christchurch.

"It is anticipated that such an arrangement would offer joint working opportunities between the respective police and fireservices, which in turn is expected to provide a more overall effective service to the community."

The new police accommodation will mean a new garage will need to be built in the rear yard, as the fire service Land Rover needs to be maintained "in a state of permanent readiness".

Accommodation for the police will include offices, a locker room, an interview room, a kitchen, as well as WC and shower facilities.

The existing police station lies on a prime town centre site, which includes the old Magistrates Court, and is owned by Dorset Police, Dorset County Council, Christchurch Borough Council and the Hospital of the Mary Magdalen Trust.

The Bargates site, which also includes the police station, magistrates court and car parking, could be transformed into a mixed development of homes, commercial units and public space.

A consultation is due to take place soon, with Aster Homes selected as the preferred bidder to develop the site.