Work has begun on a new £9.2m integrated Grampian Police facility in Kittybrewster.

The new building has been designed by GMA|Ryder Architecture and will comprise a 60 cell custody facility, a local policing team, criminal justice office, a virtual court facility and an identity parade suite.

The existing facility in Aberdeen is considered outdated and undersized.

The Custody Project Board has concluded that a 60-cell facility would be the optimum model for dealing with existing and projected custody loads.

The site of the new development will be brownfield land 2km north of Aberdeen city centre.

Pre application discussions with Aberdeen City Council's Planning Department have been undertaken to help develop a successful design response to the site.

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The site splits into two levels; one which falls 2m from its highest level before an abrupt drop of approximately 6m to the lower part.

This tiered surface will be used to create separate entrance points for custody and criminal justice accommodation.

The secure elements of the custody facility will be housed all on one lower level.

Chris Malcolm, Associate at GMA|Ryder in Glasgow, said: "The design brings together all the key stages of the criminal justice system in one facility. It responds specifically to the unique opportunities offered by the site topography to create a building which in its transparency, materiality and form is the antithesis of preconceptions about what a custody establishment should look like. The new facility will provide all of the city's custody accommodation on one site and at £9.2 million is very cost effective.

Adrian Berkeley, Chief Inspector & Custody Project Manager at Grampian Police, said: "The project involves creating a design which must follow a detailed set of guidelines to produce a building which is capable of a very specific and specialised role.

"We were aware of related work that GMA|Ryder had previously carried out in other areas and were impressed with their expertise. They have not disappointed," he added.

The project is due for completion and occupation by late 2013.

(IT)