POLICE in York are set to get a mini-police station at a new housing development.

Helmsley-based Advent Developments, which is planning to develop the site of the former Shipton Street site, in Clifton, has agreed to talk to the police about having a satellite police station on the development.

The company plans to meet with police about the proposals and also to hold a meeting to consult local people about their plans for the Shipton Street site, which recently bought from City of York Council.

Inspector Richard Crinnion, who is in charge of the neighbourhood policing team for the area, said: "We are in talks with them and are happy to progress with these plans. What we would like is a facility for staff to use to offer a point of contact within the community and a facility for us to use to avoid us coming off the ward to go back to Fulford Road."

He said an area had already been allocated on the development firm's plans for police to use as a "drop-in" centre.

Advent Developments specialise in developing listed building sites, old schools, and warehouses.

At Shipton Street - which was at the centre of huge controversy when it was earmarked as a potential home for the Arc Light homeless hostel in 2005, the firm is looking to develop about 40 one-bed, two-bed and three-bed homes, including some "affordable" properties.

There will also be parking spaces on site for about 80 per cent of the homes.

Labour councillors for Clifton ward today welcomed the willingness of Advent to give some building space for police use.

Coun David Scott said: "I am pleased at Advent's willingness to work with the police. The possible gift to police would be a room on the Shipton Street side of the site. Obviously, there needs to be discussion about access and traffic issues, but this is a welcome first step in ensuring more police presence in the Clifton area."

Coun Ken King said: "After our discussion with Advent they have taken up our idea to talk to the police about giving them office space on the new development. They are set to have a meeting with the police about this soon, and also have plans to later consult with the community as to their plans for Shipton Street."

The Press told last month how about 50 residents at a public meeting at St Luke's Church Hall in Shipton Street welcomed the councillors' proposals for part of the development to be used as a satellite base for North Yorkshire Police.

There have been a number of calls from local residents for police to re-open a police station in Clifton following spates of crime in the area.

Liberal Democrat councillors have launched a petition to reopen local police stations in the city.

The Press told on Wednesday how police plan to base some of their neighbourhood policing teams in schools in a bid to increase contact with the community.