Hampshire town gets new fire station

Work can begin on a new fire station in Bishop’s Waltham now that planning permission has been granted.

Winchester City Council has approved plans for the new station and training tower to be built on the existing site in Lower Lane.

Firefighters will move into a temporary home at a nearby industrial estate while work is underway, meaning there will be no disruption to operational capabilities.

The new station will provide better working and training facilities for our firefighters, plus dedicated facilities for community engagement.

Demolition of the existing station is scheduled to start in early 2022, with building work to begin a short while later.

Chairman of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Rhydian Vaughan, said:

“I am delighted that plans for building a new fire station in Bishop’s Waltham can move forward.

“This is great news for the local community and our firefighters.”

Working collaboratively through the Southern Construction Framework, Morgan Sindall Construction will be leading the work at Bishop’s Waltham.

Alan Smedley, programme lead for Morgan Sindall Construction, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service on their Station Investment Programme.

“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are investing significantly into modernising facilities to reflect the ever-changing requirements of the fire service and the thriving communities they serve.

“We are extremely excited to begin work on the new fire station and training area in Bishop’s Waltham, and to collaborate with local residents and community groups to deliver a positive social and economic legacy for the area.”

The build marks the first chapter in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s ambitious Station Investment Programme.

Around £27m will be invested in providing new fire stations in Bishop’s Waltham, Redbridge and Cosham.

Redbridge Fire Station occupies a large site on Redbridge Hill, Southampton, where space is shared with various partners, including the Police and Border Force. The ambition is to rebuild on the existing site, phasing construction to enable all services to continue to operate while in temporary accommodation. This will be a collaboratively designed and cohesive public services building that will continue to serve the local community.

Meanwhile, Cosham will see the permanent relocation of the existing fire station in Wayte Street to a larger site in Northern Road, formerly used by Portsmouth Craft and Manufacturing Industries (PCMI). Portsmouth City Council has already outlined a wider strategy for the regeneration of Cosham, in development with partners. The new station will significantly improve space and facilities for a training base in the east of the county. Frontline teams will continue to operate from the existing site until construction is completed.

Planning applications will be submitted for Redbridge and Cosham later this year.