London mega court and police HQ plan approved

Plans for a new court and police complex on Fleet Street have been approved by City of London planners.The proposals would see construction of an eighteen courtroom facility and new base for the City of London Police alongside an office building that will help fund the scheme.Known as ‘The Salisbury Square Development’, it plans to re-establish and reinvigorate the area once famous as the former home of the newspaper industry.Eight buildings off Fleet Street are due to be demolished to make way for the new development, dubbed a Justice Quarter.This new single court building replaces the ageing Mayor’s and City of London Court, the City of London Magistrates’ Court and will also contain eight Crown courtrooms.The new City of London Police headquarters will improve efficiency by bringing together staff in the purpose-built building to deal with national cases of fraud and economic crime.The plans will be financed entirely by the City of London Corporation through the redevelopment of the existing courts – Mayor’s and City of London Country Court and City of London Magistrates Court – and the sale of Wood Street Police Station and Snow Hill Police Station.