A COUNCIL is considering making a bid for a former police station recently put up for sale by the force.

Epping Forest District Council’s cabinet will discuss the possibility of buying Waltham Abbey police station, in Sun Street, at a meeting on Thursday, April 6.

The police station, which was completely closed in September last year, was put on the market as part of Essex Police’s plans to cut £10 million from their property bill.

The police branch shut to the public in 2011, staying open as a base to officers. It closed to police officers in September last year, following the closures of the Loughton and Epping stations in the April before.

Residents living in the area now have to travel to Harlow to report crime face to face.

Waltham Abbey station was put on the market by Essex Police on March 10 this year, as it looks to reduce its property estate from 80 to 30 in order to combat spiralling maintenance costs.

The police estate currently costs £10 million a year in running costs and would need an extra £30 million of maintenance work to bring them up to standard.

A spokesman for the council said: "Councillors will discuss the potential purchase of Waltham Abbey police station at Cabinet on 6 April. They will debate the viability of using the building to extend Epping Forest District Museum, which currently occupies part of the neighbouring building in Sun Street.

"This is the first time the prospect has been considered, so it would be misleading to suggest any particular outcome at this stage. But it is fair to say that any decision to purchase the premises would be subject to further deliberations."