Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ

Overview

The redevelopment of the Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City is a flagship investment in modern policing infrastructure, creating a secure, efficient, and inspiring new workplace for frontline officers and staff.

This four-storey facility, built on the site of the existing HQ, is designed to meet WELL Platinum and BREEAM Excellent standards, ensuring a balance of security, staff well-being, and sustainability.

The new building will replace outdated accommodation and enable a more agile and collaborative approach to policing, supporting more than 500 personnel with advanced facilities that reflect the evolving needs of the force.

Key Features & Facilities

• Open-plan, flexible office space, enabling agile working and future reconfiguration.
• Integrated custody and operational suites, designed in line with national policing standards.
• Secure and discrete vehicular access, including holding bays and service areas.
• Welfare and well-being facilities, including quiet rooms, canteen, showers, and cycling provision.
• Biophilic central atrium with glulam timber feature roof, promoting wellness and natural light.

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

The project is on track to achieve both WELL Platinum and BREEAM Excellent accreditations—placing it in the top 10% of sustainable buildings nationally.

Key Environmental Measures:

• In-situ reinforced concrete primary frame, enhancing thermal mass and structural resilience.
• Future-proofed PV infrastructure, enabling renewable energy generation on-site.
• Air-source heat pumps and low-carbon HVAC systems, reducing operational emissions.
• Sustainable procurement, with over 76% of the £29.2 million supply chain package already placed.
• SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) to improve water management on-site.

Community & Social Value:

• Local supply chain involvement, with 76% of procurement value already placed.
• Employment and skills initiatives, supporting young people through apprenticeships and training.
• CLOCS and Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) registration, ensuring best practice in community impact and site safety.

What people are saying:

Stewart Brundell, managing director at Willmott Dixon in North London and Northern Homes Counties:

“We are delighted to be working alongside Hertfordshire Constabulary to deliver their new headquarters. As a proud Hertfordshire-based company, it is fantastic to be starting on site to provide a new facility for our county’s police force. This project follows on from our successful delivery of the Bedfordshire Police’s new custody suite. The new HQ will provide Hertfordshire Constabulary’s people with a sustainable, flexible working environment which can be utilised for police and community groups as well.”

Mark Robinson, group chief executive at the SCAPE group:

“The redevelopment of the headquarters of Hertfordshire Constabulary will provide a considerable boost to policing services in the area, bringing positive change and benefits to the local community. Through our close-working relationship with Willmott Dixon, we are dedicated to providing efficiency and cost savings throughout the project, alongside delivering social value for the public.”

Proud track record

This extends Willmott Dixon’s track record of projects for the emergency services across the UK. Recent work includes a new forensics centre for Thames Valley Police, a new fire station and training centre for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, as well as new headquarter buildings for Dorset, Humberside and Merseyside Police Forces. Also, the company built a purpose-built facility to house all the teaching requirements within one building for South Wales Police.