Work will start soon on a new £4 million fire station and county headquarters at Shrewsbury – bringing a jobs boost to the town.
Planners have given the go-ahead to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for a major revamp of its site at St Michael’s Street.
Tenders will now be sought for the contract which is likely to provide two years of work for local builders and tradesmen.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond declared: “This is excellent news for the town’s economy and for our staff, currently working in old-fashioned and cramped conditions.”
It follows several years of debate about providing a 21st century base for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Officials had considered selling off the rundown St Michael’s Street site and creating two new fire stations on the north and south of Shrewsbury, plus a new county headquarters.
But this would have cost at least £10 million and Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority decided a refurbishment of the existing site would provide the best value for money for taxpayers.
A planning application was submitted and Shropshire Council planning officers have finally given permission after talks with the architects.
Planners had been worried about the ‘brutal’ appearance of the original design but are satisfied the latest scheme will fit in with the Victorian terraced houses opposite and the Shrewsbury conservation area.
Mr Raymond said: “We are delighted that permission has been granted and we can now go out to tender.
“A number of local building firms have shown interest in the project and it will provide work for local tradespeople no matter which company gets the contract.”
Mr Raymond said the aim was to start work in May, with staff being moved around temporarily over the next 18 months to two years while work is completed.
“There are three buildings on site – the fire station, workshops and headquarters.
“We will be building a small extension to a revamped fire station and moving everyone from headquarters there.
“The current headquarters will be demolished and this will give us more space for all our fire appliances and workshops.”
Around 50 staff are based at brigade headquarters, with 15 full-time firefighters at any one time at the fire station and another 20 or so on call.
Mr Raymond said he was pleased the fire authority had plumped for remaining in St Michael’s Street, labelled “old and dilapidated” in a 2006 report.
He said it was the most financially viable option and the best location for balancing the need to have quick access to Shrewsbury’s historic town centre and outlying areas.
By Peter Johnson
