WIVENHOE Town Council has bought two former police homes.

The two semi-detached properties in the High Street were vacated by Essex Police in March last year, when officers moved into the fire station in Colchester Road.

In the short term, the council wants to rent the buildings to families. It is in talks with a property management company, which could take on the day-to-day running of the homes.

The houses were built in the Fifties, to be used as a combined police station and adjoining accommodation for officers.

The council’s long-term plan is to use them as community buildings. Ideas include a cafe, community hall or council offices.

The council bought the houses and a large plot of land surrounding them for £410,000. It was given a loan for the purchase through the Public Works Loan Board, a Government agency.

The deposit for the loan was paid out of council reserves, but councillors have agreed a small increase in the council tax precept to fund the loan repayments.

Mayor Robert Needham said: “The land has crucial strategic importance for Wivenhoe. This is a wonderful opportunity to secure a bright future for the site, an opportunity to do something that will benefit the people of Wivenhoe and meet their expectations.”

Essex Police Authority closed the station as part of an attempt to save more than £41million over the next three years.

The plot has a large garden and is next to the William Loveless Hall, also owned by the town council. The official handover is due to be completed next month.

Mr Needham added: “The potential to combine with existing facilities and create a lasting and useful asset for the people of Wivenhoe is enormous. In the longer term, it could become a civic centre.”