Court complex plans discussed (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Court complex plans discussed

A COMBINED court complex costing £15-£17m could be built in Salisbury by late 2007.

Growing fears about the future of the proposed Magistrates', Crown, Youth and County court building on Wilton Road were quashed in April, when the department of constitutional affairs confirmed that the project was still on the cards.

Last week, key figures were invited to a meeting at Milford Hall Hotel, where representatives of Her Majesty's Courts Service answered questions about the proposed three-storey building, which would house four courts, the coroner's office, witness protection facilities, a secure custody suite, video link rooms and meeting facilities.

Detailed plans and drawings were on display and designer Kim Graham, of Fielden & Mawson Architects, Cambridge, gave a short presentation.

She said: "What we are trying to achieve with this building is a sense of dignity and calm.

"A lot of old court buildings are very official and almost daunting and people are stressed enough.

"What you don't want them to be is so wound up that there is confrontation."

Plans will be submitted to Salisbury district council in July/August.

The complex, designed to be built opposite Fountain Way hospital, would house the Magistrates' courts on the first floor and Crown courts, witness accommodation, jurors' facilities and advocate suites on the second.

Secure entrances/exits for jurors and witnesses have been incorporated into the design for the energy-efficient, glass, brick and metal building, which would also have a central lobby area with balconies.

Criminal courts would be on the western side of the building and facilities for civil matters on the eastern side.

The current Crown Court building, in St John Street, would be sold to pay for the new complex.

The courtrooms would have fixed docks and benches but everything else would be easily moveable to create a more relaxed environment if necessary.

HMCS area director for Wiltshire Norman Jeffrey said: "We are confident the building will be adequate for local needs."

Planners had initially hoped the building would be ready in 2006, with work expected to start last year.

The building would be one of the first in the country with all courts under one roof.