Work has started on the new £35m Divisional Headquarters for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at Central Park in Newton Heath in east Manchester, just one and a half miles from Manchester city centre.

It will be built next to GMP's 240,000 sq ft Force Headquarters, which is currently under construction.

Greater Manchester's chief constable Peter Fahy joined colleagues Councillor Paul Murphy, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Authority, Caroline Ball, Chief Superintendent for the North Division, Nigel Allsop from Ask:Goodman, Eddie Smith from New East Manchester, Mike Hollows from the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Richard Jones from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to celebrate the start of work on site.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "This ceremony is a landmark moment in the programme of work to improve the services we are able to provide across north Manchester.  This investment is will ensure we continue to meet the policing demands of the area and provide the best possible service to local people. The modern facilities will ensure we are better able to meet the needs of local communities."

Chief Superintendent for the North Division, Caroline Ball, said: "Today marks the beginning of the future for the North Manchester Division with new facilities for officers and staff right in the heart of the communities we serve.  With the continued presence of Neighbourhood Policing across all areas of the division, we will continue to ensure that north Manchester is a safe place to live in, work in and enjoy."

GMPA Chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: "This is a significant step in the process to improve police buildings for the North Manchester Police Division. I'm pleased work is starting so quickly and look forward to seeing the project progress."

Eddie Smith, chief executive of urban regeneration company New East Manchester, added: "This is another major milestone for Central Park and east Manchester. Not only does it strengthen Central Park as an office destination but it will bring more jobs, investment and significant regeneration benefits for local people. Central Park is located just a mile and a half from the city centre, and with its dedicated Metrolink station, is proving a very attractive location."

The 125,273 sq ft Divisional Headquarters, which is expected to be completed in late 2011, is designed by Aedas, is being developed by Ask:Goodman.
 
David Burkinshaw, Director at Ask Developments said: "We are delighted to be able to announce that work has now started on site and that we can already see real progress on the construction of the Divisional Headquarters.  It is exciting to see that even in these tough general economic conditions the development is gathering pace, establishing Central Park as an attractive location for businesses."

Paul Lakin, Director of Land and Property at the NWDA, said:
"Central Park is a priority site for the NWDA and it is excellent that such a high-profile occupier will be relocating there. The quality of Central Park and the transport links have made it attractive to the market place and the move by GMP will raise the profile of Central Park even further. This supports our aim to attract high level private sector investment which will make a real difference to the regeneration of east Manchester."

Deborah McLaughlin, Regional Director North West at the HCA, said: "The HCA is a long term partner in helping to bring about the comprehensive regeneration of east Manchester. It is great to see that our original investment in acquiring this site is now leading to the development of such a key facility for the area"

The new development will offer excellent public transport links. A new £36.5m transport gateway is already in place, and there will be a dedicated tram stop - just five minutes away from Manchester City Centre, which is expected to be completed by spring 2011.