A POLICE station has been earmarked as the latest force building that could be redeveloped into homes for the elderly.

Thame Police Station has been identified by Churchill Retirement Living which wants to demolish the site and build 45 sheltered apartments for pensioners.

The firm says it likes to redevelop police stations as they are usually in ideal town centre locations for elderly residents.

As part of the agreement with Thames Valley Police, a police counter service will be maintained at the Greyhound Lane site.

David Bretherton, South Oxfordshire District Council member for Thame North, said: “As long as they are going to keep a facility whereby people can walk in and talk to police than we are relatively content.”

Thames Valley Police has been closing stations across the county as part of a property savings drive. Police moved from Thame police station last year to a new operational base on Thame Business Park in Wenman Road.

Insp Mark Harling, of the South and Vale police area, said: “A front counter will remain on the site so members of the public will continue to have the same access to police in Thame.”

The plan was submitted to SODC in March. The authority wants to make a decision by June 26.

Andrew Burgess, planning director for Churchill Retirement Living, said his business was looking at proposals for seven police station sites across England, but was not currently considering any further proposals in Oxfordshire.