By Alan Rodgers
PLANS to finally sell off numerous disused police barracks throughout Tyrone appear destined to earn the PSNI a financial windfall far short of what could have been expected.
Six former barracks in the county are facing the axe in a move that looks set to dramatically change the policing landscape locally. The latest announcement is also provoking an angry response from Unionist politicians as community leaders call for the land to be re-directed to public use.
Almost exactly ten years after the Patten Report, the PSNI has earmarked Dunamanagh, Newtownstewart, Coagh, Fivemiletown, Pomeroy and Stewartstown for final closure.
The announcement comes as reports also revealed that the future of Castlederg, Beragh, Omagh and Aughnacloy stations is also to be reviewed.
It has been estimated this week that each of the barracks could fetch upwards on £100,000 on the open market. However, this is only a third of what could have been anticipated earlier this decade.
The disposals could hardly be coming at a worse time, considering the sharply reduced demand for development land in local towns and villages.
It says the move is part of what is described as an 'estate strategy' covering up until 2010.
One of the areas likely to be worst affected is Newtownstewart. The Vice-Chairman of the Community Association there and Community Police Liason member, John Dunbar, revealed that they have already made representations to the PSNI on the future of the PSNI barracks.
"The PSNI station is definitely one that could be used by the community here. We have already been in contact with the police to see what could be achieved and are obviously anxious to reach some agreement," he said.
"Our community is being denied a focal point for policing by the removal of this station. It should be replaced by an office in the centre of the town to fulfil that role.
"We would preferably like to see the station in Newtownstewart transferred to us at a reasonable price. Our view is that this represents the most ideal way forward rather than selling to a private developer.
"There is no doubt that many community associations will be in a similar position to ourselves as potential customers."
" At the moment we are having to sit on the sidelines waiting for developments."
Mr Dunbar said that they should be forewarned about future moves in this regard, adding that a reduced price tag would serve a double purpose of disposing of the building while at the same time benefiting the community.
A police spokesperson said their estate strategy was a balance of investment in new builds, refurbishment and a review of existing stations.
"This review is on the basis of the operational need of commanders in Districts, the condition of buildings and the cost of running these buildings," they said.
Omagh UUP councillor, Allan Rainey, said police stations which currently lay unoccupied or unused were proving to be a liability.
"It's a sobering reality that maintaining the stations is no longer feasible if they are not capable of creating a workforce or justifying the deployment of personnel," he said.
"We have to ask whether or not keeping stations open is a sensible option if this isn't the case. The answer to that is no because there is little point in maintaining bricks and mortar.
"The simple fact is that at the moment no additional resources are going to be provided for policing here. As a result, the senior members of the PSNI now have to prioritise the demands."
Cllr Rainey said the likelihood was that the stations would now be offered for sale, but added that the presence of the police had 'offered succour' and support to many people over the years.
