Teddington MP Munira Wilson has written to London Mayor Sadiq Khan calling for the former Teddington Police Station to be repurposed for community use rather than "sold to a luxury property developer".

The intervention follows the publication of the Metropolitan Police's 10-year Estate Strategy, which outlines plans to sell a number of former police stations that closed in 2017 and were decommissioned in 2022.

These include stations in Teddington, Notting Hill, Enfield and Kings Cross Road.

In her letter, Ms Wilson said she, local councillors and residents have been campaigning since the station's closure for the site to be used in a way that benefits the local community.

She wrote: "Plans have been put forward for social and affordable housing for local residents, and a much-needed new premises for Park Road Surgery."

Park Road Surgery currently operates from what Ms Wilson described as an "inaccessible Victorian house" and serves around 12,000 patients.

She said the practice "deserves premises fit for the 21st century" and could be accommodated on the ground floor of the former police station, alongside a possible local police base.

Ms Wilson also highlighted the "acute need for social housing" in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, arguing that the site would be ideal for homes that are affordable to local people, including young residents and key workers.

Munira Wilson says the unused building could provide affordable housing and a GP surgery (credit: House of Commons).

The MP reminded the Mayor that she had previously secured a change in the law allowing police authorities to sell assets for up to £2 million below market value where this would benefit the community.

She referenced a 2023 response from Mr Khan in which he said he "supported the principles" of the amendment and promised to "do everything I can to ensure that Teddington Police Station is put to the best possible use".

Following the release of the Estate Strategy last week, the Mayor was questioned by Richmond councillor and London Assembly Member Gareth Roberts at a meeting of the Greater London Authority's Police and Crime Committee.

Mr Khan said he "completely understood" the history of the campaign and the need for social housing in the area.

In her letter, Ms Wilson urged the Mayor "in the strongest possible terms" to back the campaign and ensure the site is used "for the health and wellbeing of the Teddington community".

The Met Police Estate Strategy also sets out wider plans to create 40 new hubs for Safer Neighbourhood Teams so officers are within a 20-minute walk of the communities they serve.

In addition, plans aims to modernise forensic services, improve evidence storage, upgrade firearms training facilities and transition to an electric vehicle fleet.

However, the Met Police has warned it will need to make "tough choices" about its estate, which currently includes more than 200 buildings across London.