Plans for a new station and huge area hub have been signed off by West Yorkshire.

A giant new district hub and a new station have been given the go-ahead in a major construction project.

Plans to overhaul part of the force’s estate have been agreed with construction firm Willmott Dixon for the project on the site of the former Dewsbury College.

The new station spec includes approximately 10,000m2 of accommodation including a new custody suite, property store, atrium, lockers, gym, public front of house, and all associated ancillary areas.

The project will also see a full refurbishment of the attractive Oldroyd building, restoring the 1880s structure to form a key part of the site that houses the majority of office space for the new headquarters.

Budget details have yet to be released but the new building is expected to be operational by 2024.

A social value clause in the contract means the contractor will have to employ local workers on the build and source materials from local firms where possible in a bid to secure jobs.

Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said: “The last few months have seen us take some huge steps forward in what has been a years in the making project.”

The force also has plans to to build a new police station in Huddersfield town centre and a site has been acquired to do it.

Both will have front counters for handling public inquiries.

CS Griffiths said: “We have written to local residents to advise of the start of construction and are committed to maintain communications with those living nearby as work progresses.”

Two existing stations will continue to operate until building work is completed and then a decision will be made about their futures.

It's not the first time the firm has worked with the force: it stepped in two years ago to complete the headquarters for the Deputy Mayor for Policing after a contractor went bust.

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the north said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police to support the modernisation of its estate.”

He added: “We are focused on leaving a lasting legacy beyond bricks and mortar and that’s why we will be supporting the Kirklees economy and West Yorkshire police initiatives by using local businesses and creating local employment opportunities whenever possible.”