Plans to redevelop Stafford Fire Station have been halted

An office block at the Beaconside site was set to be revamped to create more modern facilities for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and surplus land was to be sold off.

But now Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams revealed “other options” were now being considered after he was questioned by Stafford councillor Ann Edgeller at a meeting.

Speaking after the Police, Crime and Fire Panel session he confirmed the plans for the Hydrant Way site previously approved by Stafford Borough Council were not going ahead, but facilities still needed to be upgraded.

Councillor Edgeller said: “A few months ago I attended a meeting with some of the councillors from Stafford at Beaconside Fire Station and met with the Chief Fire Officer which was very interesting. There were big plans on the wall, they were going to move out of the big station into a small station and this land was going to be sold.

“Then all of a sudden it’s evolved now that they’re not going to move, they’re staying where they are. Why was that decision made?”

Mr Adams replied: “The viability of that project isn’t quite as attractive as it was two or three years ago. We’re actually considering some other options which might involve extra efficiencies involving the police as well.

“We’re just working through some options for that site. I’m very keen that we do continue to, where possible, share sites and infrastructure.

“It’s been very successful in Hanley and Tamworth and we have a number of additional opportunities which we’re exploring, particularly for secondary sites to locate police service in a locality. I would be happy to come back as those develop and report on them in detail.

“There could still be something happening – very probably will – involving Stafford. But there is a set of conversations to go through yet.”

Stafford Borough Council approved a planning application for the redevelopment last year. The current fire station was built in the 1990s and the building fabric is now in a poor condition, a design and access statement submitted as part of the application said, with existing plant and services approaching the end of their useful life.

The proposed redevelopment would have provided space for the main appliance vehicle and support vehicles, accommodation for crews during the day and overnight and facilities for training and back office tasks. The building set to be re-purposed for these facilities was previously used by the Civil Contingency Unit.