A DEAL which will allow Police Scotland to move out of Haddington Police Station and into the town’s former court building has been described as a “mugging” by SNP councillors.

Labour-led East Lothian Council this week backed plans to relocate officers from the police station into the former court building – just 250ft away – in a deal which will see the building given a £1.47 million refurbishment and allow police staff to work alongside council employees.

However, concerns were raised about the contribution Police Scotland was making towards costs, which it was claimed was just over £200,000, with the rest of the bill footed by the council.

In addition, Police Scotland will pay an annual rent of £58,000 to use the new building for the first three years, with a rise of up to £63,338 subject to review.

Speaking at the meeting Paolo Vestri, the council’s service manager for corporate policy and improvement, said that the cost to Police Scotland of bringing its current premises in Haddington up to scratch would be £700,000, with £60,000 required to be spent over the next three years.

Councillor Tom Trotter, SNP ward member for Haddington and Lammermuir, questioned the “substantial” investment in the court building by the local authority without any benefits of increased police services in the community.

And he pointed out that the move would also allow the police station and land behind it to be freed up, attracting housing developers.

Mr Trotter said: “We are making a substantial investment but there are not going to be any more feet on the street.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the council’s opposition SNP group, questioned whether the deal was ‘best value’.He said: “The issue is whether it is best value for council taxpayers. I am certain Police Scotland came running towards us: they think it is a fandabbydosey idea. They contribute £226,000, not forgetting the amount they will get for the land.

“This must be the first time in history someone has been mugged by the police – and they have gotten away with it.”

However, Councillor Michael Veitch (Con), depute council leader, said that the £58,000 annual rent was, at five per cent, a good return on the investment by East Lothian Council.

And council leader Willie Innes (Lab) accused the opposition of being “narrow-minded”, pointing out it was the Scottish Government that closed the sheriff court in the first place, leaving the building vacant.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar (Lab) added: “This county has been put through hell ever since the decision was taken for that court to close.”

Angela Leitch, the council’s chief executive, said: “The council was keen to look for opportunities to breathe fresh life into the [court] building.

“Police staff will be based on the first floor, while the downstairs reception on Court Street will become a police station public reception area. Remaining space on the first floor will be able to accommodate up to 54 council staff.”

Chief Inspector Matt Paden, local area police commander for East Lothian, said: “I am excited by the possibilities that moving. . . will open up.

“It should create a better working environment and give officers better access to partners who can help solve problems and address concerns. It Local policing and keeping our communities safe remains at the heart of what we do, and moving into John Muir House, just a stone’s throw from our current police station, will have no impact on the level of local policing we provide in the area.”

The switch is expected to take place in the next year or two.