A planning application has been submitted for Exmouth's new £5million police station.

If East Devon District Council approves the plan the existing station, its disused custody block and a closed magistrates’ court on the corner of Clarence Road and North Street will be demolished and redeveloped.

The proposal, submitted by Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, is for a new build with ‘excellent’ environmental standards, putting it among the top 10 per cent of buildings for energy efficiency.

The application states that the new building will have better public access, including a 'front desk' enquiry office, and improved welfare provisions for officers. It will be more in keeping with the current conservation area’s requirements and have a smaller footprint than the current police station, with the remainder of the site available for redevelopment.

A heritage assessment submitted alongside the planning application states: “The new building has been designed to respect the scale and form of the surrounding built environment whilst providing a durable and efficient police station. Two-storey in height, pitched roof with gables, and use of brick, continue the scale and architectural motifs present in the surrounding 19th-century residences. It will replace a set of buildings considered to be detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Exmouth is a busy and bustling resort town which has a large resident population and a considerable increase in its population in the summer months.

“The policing team in East Devon do an incredible job while facing considerable challenges. They are working from buildings which have served their purpose but which are nearing the end of their useful life and are not attractive. I am delighted to be able to bring forward this proposal to give the town a policing facility that is fit for the 21st century and which police officers, staff, volunteers and residents of the town deserve.”

Local Policing Superintendent Anthony Hart said: “The old station has been home to the local policing team for many years and served Exmouth well, but we’re looking forward to working from a modern building that’s better suited to the needs of our officers and the people of Exmouth.”

East Devon’s MP Simon Jupp, who has worked alongside the PCC to develop the plan, said: “I am really pleased to see progress being made on Exmouth’s new multi-million-pound police station which will be open to the public with a dedicated front desk.

"We now have record numbers of police officers which has seen the creation of a new dedicated team working to tackle rural crime, more officers on the beat when it matters most, and improved public accessibility by reopening the enquiry desk at Honiton’s police station.

"I’m working closely with the Police & Crime Commissioner to help make our streets and countryside safer for local families and businesses.”

An earlier application to demolish Exmouth's existing police station was withdrawn earlier this year, after planning officers asked for the demolition and reconstruction proposals to be included in a single application.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is currently asking residents of the force area to take part in a survey on policing and community safety matters. The survey can be completed online at dcpcc.commonplace.is or by calling the office on 01392 225555.