Leigh police station could be knocked down and replaced with a multi-storey car park, shops and community centre.

Southend Council’s leader Nigel Holdcroft believes the station’s imminent closure presents a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to build on the large swathes of land around the station in Elm Road.

Essex Police announced last month the station was one of 21 across the county which would close to the public from next March, although the building could still be used as a base for officers.

However, Mr Holdcroft, who stressed the idea was his own and not council policy, said the time was right to look at other options for the land.

He said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide a development including a new community facility, as well as increasing the amount of car parking for the benefit of residents, traders and visitors alike.

“We will be liaising with Essex Police to clarify their intentions but, if these include vacating the current police station, this would further increase the available land.

“We then need to work closely with adjoining owners, Leigh Town Council and residents to identify options.”

The lack of parking in Leigh’s narrow town centre streets has been a constant source of complaint in recent years.

When Mr Holdcroft first mooted his idea for a new multi-storey in March, the plan was welcomed by businesses who said their tradewas limited by the time restrictions on the few available parking spaces.

However, the proposal was criticised by members of Leigh Town Council, which is based in one half of two semi-detached properties included within the site targeted by Mr Holdcroft.

Town councillors said the existing community centre should be preserved because of its Art Deco heritage.

The other semi-detached property is in private ownership and the council would have to negotiate a deal to buy it, or even resort to a compulsory purchase order, if any development was to take place.

The rest of the site includes the police station, the existing community centre, a Connexions youth centre, a surface car park and buildings used by the Southend Adult Community College, which is due to relocate to the new Belfairs High School this month.