A new flagship eco-police station in Aylsham has delighted the Norfolk force which says it hopes it will pave the way for similar stations elsewhere in Norfolk.

A new flagship eco-police station in Aylsham has delighted the Norfolk force which says it hopes it will pave the way for similar stations elsewhere in Norfolk.

The building, designed by architect Mark Camidge, is almost carbon neutral and boasts an electricity generating wind turbine, insulating moss on the roof and a host of other environmental features.

Alongside the police dispatch officers, the open-plan office houses traffic police and safer neighbourhood teams making communication within the different departments easier.

The East of England Ambulance service NHS Trust is also using the new building as one of its response units.

The £755,000 police station has been built as part of a longer-term plan to modernise the police force buildings.

Cromer and Sheringham are the next towns to be updated and a similar station next to the North Norfolk District Council offices is in the pipeline.

Situated off Banningham Road, outside the town centre, the station is set within land which it is hoped will house eight new holding cells.

Police Authority chief executive, Chris Harding said that there were currently three private finance initiative bids to build police investigation centres, which will house the cells.

The new centres are part of a regional project to combat overstretched custody suites across the county.

The old station building in the centre of the town will be sold.

Ian McPherson, chief constable, said: “The new building replaces old premises which were deteriorating in condition and out-of-date, providing a dynamic working environment for operational policing as well as creating a minimal carbon footprint.”