TAUNTON Police Station looks set to relocate to occupy part of Taunton Deane Borough Council's HQ by April next year.

The Shuttern station is currently on the market and the council is expected to approve plans on Monday to spend £7.5 million updating and altering Deane House, off Belvedere Road.

A report to full council warns of the risk of losing the "potential occupier" if there are "further delays".

As well as collecting rent from the police, who will occupy two floors, the council is also in talks with a range of other possible occupants.

Deane bosses back the scheme as they believe it will bring cost savings, bring in substantial additional income and provide the public with a more joined up service.

Council leader Cllr John Williams said: "We are confident we can attract other partners in the public or private sectors to take up further space thus increasing income and maximising the building's capacity.

“With the police on board we have made a great start to this plan and as we let more space the income will reduce our projected budget gap and mean that the council is better off for having made the investment.

“This is sound commercial asset management and is good news for the council and our community as it will help further protect our frontline services.”