CAMPAIGNERS are hopeful that a former police station could be saying ‘hello, hello, hello’ to a new future as a community centre.

The plan will be discussed at Brighton and Hove City Council’s policy and resources committee this week as campaigners try to derail plans to convert Portslade police station into housing.

Campaigners want to preserve the St Andrew’s Road site and claim that city council plans to convert the station into a single house would “gut” the century-old historic interior.

The proposals drawn up by Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission claim a community centre would help rejuvenate Portslade in the way similar projects have proved a shot in the arm to Shoreham and Southwick.

The commission proposes the site could house a museum and education centre. It envisages permanent and temporary displays connected to Portslade, with a local archive of historical materials.

It is also hoped it will be a community meeting space for schools, organisations and residents.

The police station was built in 1908 for East Sussex Constabulary and still retains original features, including cells, a reception and administration room, cupboards and fireplaces.

The commission claims the plans to develop the site for housing, which were approved in 2013, are “flawed” and would benefit only one person, while a community centre would benefit hundreds.

Heritage commissioner Roger Amerena said the city was well-served with museums from Rottingdean to Hove but cultural institutions “stopped” when it came to Portslade.

Mr Amerena said: “The police station is unusual. There are only half a dozen 1940s wartime decontamination units in the country so it would be good if this one is used rather than demolished.”

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Tory group leader, who will bring the proposal before the committee on Thursday, said: “I have always supported this project, and when I was asked to put it to the policy and resources committee by Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission, I didn’t hesitate.

“There is no similar heritage building or museum to showcase Portslade, parts of which are centuries old, and if this opportunity is lost I can’t see anything similar coming up again.”

Coun Theobald will call on the council to give the commission six months to come up with a fully-costed business plan. The commission hopes a community centre could be operational in 18 months after a revamp of the site.