THE sale of the former Coleford magistrates’ court building to Gloucestershire Police has been finalised.

It brings to an end protracted negotiations which began soon after Martin Surl was elected Police and Crime Commissioner, (PCC), in November 2012.

Contracts have been exchanged with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to finalise the deal.

It has also been revealed that Coleford police station is to be renamed the Royal Forest of Dean police station, making it a ‘hub’ for police and criminal justice services.

Mr Surl said: “It has taken much longer than I had hoped and there were many times when I thought it would never happen but I am delighted we have managed to secure the site at last.

“It’s important for law enforcement in the Forest that the area retains its own identity and I believe that developing Coleford as a hub for the police and other criminal justice services is crucial to that.”

The courthouse adjoins the town’s police station, which Mr Surl also saved from closure, and means he can now deliver on his promise to make the site the main base or ‘hub’ for policing in the area.

He said: “Had we moved in with the Forest of Dean District Council, which was the plan before I was elected, we would have lost the security of a freehold site with the likelihood we would have never found a suitable place again.

“This is a really good location, we can develop which will be reflected in its new name – the Royal Forest of Dean police station.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner first tried to buy the building, which stopped operating as a court in 2011, soon after he was elected in November 2012 but his offer was rejected.