Hampshire County Council has agreed to sell off a building in Alton that has housed police because it is surplus to requirements.

The council has approved the move to sell Hatch House as part of the cost-saving drive, with the decision part of the strategic land and asset plan approved in January to generate extra savings, optimise asset use, and reduce costs.

In a recent report, the council said the Mill Lane building, which in recent years housed the Alton Police’s neighbourhood, patrol, and response teams, was surplus to requirements.

Therefore, it approved the sale on May 2. The decision also approved the relocation of staff and the Alton family time service from Hatch House to Park House.

Under the rationalisation strategy, Hatch House was identified as one of the assets in scope to “consolidate” the use of office accommodation across Hampshire.

According to the council, it only utilises a small proportion of the building for operational purposes and has surplus capacity in a nearby office that can accommodate staff and services from Hatch House.

Retaining the house would generate an extra burden for the stretched council and would not result in savings or capital receipts.

Approval has also been given to sell the land at  the A27 St Margaret’s Roundabout, Fareham, to the preferred purchaser, which is confidential.

The A27 St Margaret’s Roundabout, Fareham, is made up of around 2.9 acres and is mostly surfaced with tarmac from its previous temporary use as a road maintenance depot.