Controversial Stafford fire station revamp to finally go ahead

Last year the Home Office blocked the £4 million project following concerns it was a waste of money but a reduced scheme, worth £2.8m, has now been given the green light by Stafford Borough Council.

The approved plans include building a new community entrance and canopy while two appliance bays will be used as multi-function rooms – a gym and changing facilities for both crews and the public under supervision in a bid to make money.

The project will also remodel part of the first floor for office use, install new fences and gates, pavement works, increase parking spaces and add extra CCTV.

Under the original plans the existing station at Beaconside was going to be demolished and a new combined facility including a public hazard training area, called a Life Skills Centre, was going to be built as part of their Safe and Sound scheme.

Waste

Funding was awarded by the Department of Communities and Local Government but critics hailed it as a waste of money and a potential waste of a large fit-for-purpose and sustainable building.

A report by Entrust Architectural on behalf of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Initial consideration was for the complete demolition of the existing station and build a new combined station, however this was discarded on cost and potential wastefulness of a building that is by and large fit for purpose and sustainable.’

Glynn Luznyj, director of Prevent and Protect at the service, said: “We are very pleased that the plans to refurbish Stafford fire station have been given the go ahead as they will provide some valuable community facilities.

“We have received full support from the Home Office for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority to utilise the Transformational Grant Funding to progress the Safe and Sound project and also begin the refurbishment of Stafford Fire Station.

“There are currently no community facilities at the station, which was not part of our PFI project that saw community rooms added to other stations throughout the county.

“The approved plans to develop the station include adding community rooms a base for the delivery of Prince’s Trust programmes and increased health facilities for further partnership work. Colleagues from the Civil Contingencies Unit will also still be based there and along with occupational health services which are shared with Staffordshire Police.”