Fire station's £8m refurbishment approved

4 hours ago

Nathaniel LawsonLocal Democracy Reporter

News image — It is hoped the refurbishment will extend the building's lifespan by another 50 years

Google A brick two-storey fire station. The window frames and doors on the ground floor are all red. There are four large red garage-style doors. The window frames on the first floor are white. — It is hoped the refurbishment will extend the building's lifespan by another 50 years

An £8m overhaul for an ageing fire station has been approved.

The refurbishment of High Wycombe fire station is aimed at keeping the building operational for at least another 50 years.

Opened in 1966, the station is now suffering with deteriorating concrete, electrical problems, faulty appliance-bay doors and outdated facilities for firefighters.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, which is responsible for finance decisions, approved the funding.

The fire station in St Mary Street has logged more than 200 defects and maintenance requests in the past two years, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A previous survey identified a maintenance and condition backlog cost of about £458,000.

Asbestos-containing materials have also been found inside the building.

Plans for the overhaul include repairs to the concrete frame, masonry, floors, roof, canopy and training-tower base.

The proposed work would also renew electrical systems, drainage, security, IT equipment and other vital infrastructure.

The station's internal layout would be redesigned to separate areas containing contaminated firefighting equipment from clean spaces used by crews.

Improved changing rooms, showers, toilets, rest areas and other welfare facilities would also be provided.

Chief fire officer Louise Harrison said the investment was "an important step towards delivering a modern fire station" that would serve the community for decades.

The authority selected refurbishment over demolishing the station and replacing it with a new building.

The current £7.99m forecast includes almost £6m for construction, £700,000 for temporary accommodation and operational arrangements - and £899,191 set aside for unexpected costs.

Arrangements for maintaining emergency cover during construction are still being developed.

Detailed plans suggest a planning application could be submitted in early 2027, with the main refurbishment expected to be completed in 2029.

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