A MILLION pound price tag has been put on Tilbury's former police station which has finally gone on the market.

In September last year Thurrock Nub News revealed Essex Police were withdrawing their last officers from the building on Civic Square and they would be selling it on the commercial market.

The news ended long term speculation about who owned the building and who would benefit from its sale. For many years it was widely believes the building was owned by Thurrock Council.

The station closed to the public in February 2016, a move that was controversial at the time as it came out of the blue, with then council leader Cllr John Kent angry at just three days' notice of the closure to the public.

At the time he said: "I can't believe the police have taken this decision now. They know we are absolutely against the closure of both Ockendon and Tilbury police stations, yet they give us so little notice. It's despicable.

"Not only is it a slap in the face for the people of Tilbury and Thurrock, it's a slap in the face for their landlords – Thurrock Council owns the land and the building, so I've asked officers to check whether they're allowed to quit this way."

Since that closure the building continued to be used by detectives, but that ceased last year.

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Cllr Kent's statement about ownership of the site and other comments in the public domain at the time created uncertainty about the ownership of the building, a matter Thurrock Nub News sought to clarify.

The council, which it appears may now have transferred or gifted ownership previously to the police force, has steadfastly declined to respond to our questions about the historic ownership of the site and what had transpired.

Now the building has been put on the market by Essex Police via estate agents Kemsley Property Consultants as a 'residential development opportunity'.

Kemsley say it is available for '£1,000,000 exclusive'  and describe the building as 'a former police station, arranged across two storeys to provide ground floor reception, offices, staff areas and custody cells; with additional first floor offices, and canteen/kitchen.

'Externally there are a number of single storey garages/stores within a secure compound, accessed via Kelvin Road. To the east boundary of the building there is an additional, secure, level and surfaced car park, which is included within the sale.

"We are advised that the property includes the access road to the south of the property.

'The property is offered for sale freehold with vacant possession. 

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'We are advised that an underground fuel tank exists on site. Our client advises this was foam filled. Interested parties should consult their advisors in this respect.'

There is no planning permission in place for the building, which local residents have touted as a potential site for the council's new planned Youth Zone. However, the council and their advisors say it not a viable purchase and instead plan to spend £8.4 million on a new building – currently proposed to be built on the nearby Anchorfield.

Kemsley say potential developers will need to consult of Thurrock Council, saying: "While we are of the opinion that the site would potentially suit redevelopment to residential or alternative uses, interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries of Thurrock Council."