Final funding approved for Stowmarket emergency services hub
Final money needed for emergency services hub in Stowmarket approved.
Last updated 9th Dec 2020
Mid Suffolk District Council has approved £431,740 in funding from housing growth to progress plans for the Emergency Services Hub in Stowmarket.
It's the last of the money that was needed for the multi-million pounds project to go ahead, with other funds coming from Suffolk Police, the Department of Communities and Local Government, and Suffolk County Council.
Planning permission was recently granted for the hub which will offer a shared state-of-the-art facility for police, fire and ambulance services to operate from.
The District Council says once completed, residents will benefit from more efficient services and enhanced response times.
It hopes a collaborative approach will also enable the sharing of information and best practice between the emergency services and their partners.
Cllr David Burn, Mid Suffolk District Council Cabinet Member for Planning said: “I am delighted that our Council has provided the final funding needed for a new blue light hub in Stowmarket to go-ahead.
"The project is set to make a real difference to our district, with residents benefitting from a collaborative and more efficient emergency services response.
“This demonstrates how CIL monies continue to contribute to important infrastructure, ensuring this keeps pace with growth, as well as providing the facilities needed to secure bright and healthy future for our communities.”
Suffolk County Council’s Cllr Richard Rout, Cabinet Member for Public Protection said: “This is great news and I’m thrilled that the bid for CIL funding to support the building of a new Fire and Police Blue Light Hub for Stowmarket and the surrounding communities has been approved. The benefits this will bring the community and both Fire and Police cannot be understated”.
Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been successful in securing this Community Infrastructure Levy funding to support the new Police and Fire station in Stowmarket.
“This is the first new build in our blue light collaboration with the Fire Service and it is fantastic that we have been able to reduce our investment in the project thanks to this significant contribution.
“Working together is absolutely key to meeting the financial challenges that we face. I am very pleased that the communities living in and around Stowmarket will soon benefit from the joint working of these two-key blue-light services which saves money and improves services.”