Taylor Wimpey cops for major contract

HOUSEBUILDER Taylor Wimpey, which has a base in Solihull, has been selected as preferred bidder for the residential redevelopment of the former headquarters of Staffordshire Police.

The firm was chosen to deliver a comprehensive housing scheme for the 16-acre site following an extensive selection process by Staffordshire Police Authority. Taylor Wimpey was selected from a high number of bids.

The sale of the site, located in the residential area of Weeping Cross near Stafford, was undertaken by the Manchester office of property consultancy Colliers International.

Technical and legal due diligence is currently under way with completion of the disposal to Taylor Wimpey expected shortly.

Staffordshire Police moved from the site on Cannock Road to new purpose-built headquarters in February 2010. Cannock Road was first occupied by the police force in the 1950s, initially as a driver training school, and in the 1960s began to be developed as its headquarters.

Mike Brassington, director, UK development consulting and agency at Colliers International Manchester, said: “The selection of Taylor Wimpey following a robust process undertaken by Staffordshire Police Authority will deliver a broad mix of family homes sympathetic to the surrounding area and able to address housing need in this part of Staffordshire.”