Construction of a new £39m training facility for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) began on 17 May in West Cumbria.

The new accredited training facility will help deliver CNCs operational requirements to support the nuclear mission. The centre will consist of a four-storey hub with classrooms and operational stores and offices, alongside communal use areas. Two connected buildings will house live fire training arenas.

The facility will be owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and leased to the CNC. Morgan Sindall has been appointed to construct the facility with Deolitte Real Estate providing project management and cost consultancy support.

Key individuals from CNC, NDA, Morgan Sindall and Deolitte’s, were joined by community representatives to break ground at the site, which is close to Sellafield. Construction is due to be completed by December 2016, followed by a detailed fit out, with the facility operational by late 2017.

CNC Assistant Chief Constable Chris Armitt said:

“I am pleased that work has begun at the new facility today which will allow construction of the training centre to begin. The construction of the new range is an exceptional example of working with our partners and engaging with the local community to ensure any adverse impact on residents will be minimised.

“The new training facilities represent an important and necessary step forward for the CNC, ensuring we continue to effectively deliver our mission of maintaining public safety and protecting civil nuclear sites. It will allow us to continue to meet the most stringent armed policing standards set by the College of Policing and UK Government regulatory standards for the protection of nuclear sites such as Sellafield.”