The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert has assured Abergavenny residents that Gwent Police will continue to have a highly visible presence in the town after confirming that an offer had been received from a developer for both the police station and neighbouring magistrates court buildings.

Mr Cuthbert, is responsible for the police estate in Gwent which includes all of the police stations, land and assets in the force area.

Gwent Police, which is currently located at the Tudor Street site, will move on to a location yet to be disclosed, as part of an effort to cut costs as police face the reality of biting budget cuts.

Mr Cuthbert said the sale would provide an ‘exciting’ development opportunity in the town and confirmed that all the necessary legal work was progressing toward the sale.

He said he was actively working with the Estate and Facilities Team at Gwent Police and partners to retain accessible policing in the town, the details of which are currently being discussed but said that it was agreed within the proposals that Gwent Police would not vacate the premises for 18 months after the sale had been finalised

“I want to make it clear that the sale of the buildings will not impact on the service provided and that Gwent Police will continue to have visibility and a base with a front counter service within the town.

“We are proactively working with partners in the community to retain accessible policing in Abergavenny, the details of which are currently being discussed. We are looking at a number of suitable, sustainable and cost effective locations in the town which will provide value for money for the public.”

Facilities at the police station are said to not meet modern requirements, and the site is expensive to run, with large parts of the building such as the custody unit remaining effectively unused.

Police have said the move allows the force to adapt to a more suitable, sustainable and cost-effective facility, improving police performance and making vital savings as budget cuts to the force hit hard.

The Magistrates’ Court has been shut since 2014, closing just 18 months after a half-million pound refurbishment

Both buildings were offered for sale on the joint instructions of the Ministry of Justice and the previous Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, Ian Johnston, in 2016.

The Tudor Street facility, built in the 1960s, has been in the firing line since last year’s announcement, as police forces across the country try to get a firm grip on shrinking budgets handed down from Westminster.

Councillor John Prosser, of Abergavenny’s Priory ward, said he felt the move was necessary, but not at any cost to the service relied upon by the local community.

“It is essential that we maintain a high visibility police presence and the point of contact between police and the community the force serves.

“If that can be achieved by using a different, more suitable location that costs a lot less, then so be it. But, I must stress, I have no problem with any move as long as that essential service is maintained.”

The 46,000 sq ft site has been listed for sale by Cardiff property firm GVA , which expects the plot to attract heavy interest from developers.

?One idea being mooted is for police currently stationed at Abergavenny to move into the town’s centrally located town hall, but no concrete plans have been confirmed for the future of the police station.

Monmouthshire County Council’s head of planning, Mark Hand said, “We look forward to working with the future site owner on the redevelopment of this important site.”