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A newly completed Gwent Police facility is set to enhance neighbourhood policing while incorporating cutting-edge sustainability features. Designed to provide foot patrol coverage for the town centre, the facility retains a customer-facing counter service at Abergavenny Town Hall, ensuring continued accessibility.
Sustainability is a key element of the project, with photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roof and battery storage systems housed within the facility. This setup optimises solar energy use, reducing reliance on external power sources. The site also boasts 30 parking spaces, including five electric vehicle (EV) charging bays and two accessible spaces, one of which is EV-compatible.
Beyond energy efficiency, the facility integrates several eco-conscious features to support local biodiversity. A drainage balance pond helps manage water runoff, while wildlife underpasses ensure safe passage for small animals. Unique ‘frog ladders’ allow reptiles to escape drainage gullies, preventing entrapment. Additional bat and bird boxes, native hedge plantings, and a bug hotel create a more sustainable and wildlife-friendly environment.
At the opening ceremony, Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “We know the public wants to see neighbourhood policing increased and for services to be properly resourced to tackle crime.
“That’s why we have announced that we will recruit 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs to do just that.
“The new police facility in Abergavenny will ensure that the local Gwent Police officers have a visible base in the town and can help keep the streets safe.”
The Gwent Police estate is the responsibility of police and crime commissioner Jane Mudd, who said: “This new facility, combined with the service desk in Abergavenny Town Hall, provides the best of both worlds: an accessible location for residents to access face-to-face services, and a modern operational base for officers and staff.
“Ensuring that Gwent Police has the resources and facilities it needs to prioritise a visible policing presence in our communities is one of the commitments I have made to the people of Gwent.
“The new base will enable Gwent Police to increase its visibility in Abergavenny and the surrounding area and provide local teams with a base that is fit for the future.”
Developed by Pick Everard through Perfect Circle, the project was delivered in collaboration with contractor Willmott Dixon under the SCAPE Consultancy framework. Recognised for its regional impact, the facility has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, a testament to its sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship. It also received recognition from the National Considerate Constructors Scheme, reinforcing its role as a model for sustainable infrastructure in public service facilities.
Thomas Bean, senior project manager at Pick Everard, said: “This has been a highly rewarding project to bring a key policing hub in Wales up to modern standards. It required our expertise to help navigate brownfield land development and build a facility that would serve the region effectively.
“The new base was also crucial for public confidence, with a location close to the town centre and the A465, enabling rapid vehicle response.
“Now complete, the facility provides a functional and practical modern workplace for officers and staff. As Gwent police’s greenest base to date, the new scheme sets a new benchmark for balancing operational needs with sustainable credentials.”
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