Work starts on joint police and fire station in Suffolk
It'll be the first new-build Police and Fire station in the county.
Last updated 26th Jul 2021
Work has started on the first totally new-build Police and Fire Station in Suffolk. The new joint station, serving the Stowmarket area, boasts a range of green credentials and is expected to be operational in June 2022.
The start of works was officially marked today (26 July) by Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore; County Councillor Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Public Protection & Communities; Chief Constable, Steve Jupp and T/Fire Chief, Dan Fearn.
Photovoltaic panels, an air source heat pump system and 14 electric vehicle charging points will be included in a catalogue of green credentials for the new building. In addition, thermal modelling has been undertaken to ensure Insulation levels are of the highest standard to reflect the aspect of the building and areas will be zoned to reflect occupancy levels which will differ for Police and Fire use.
Sited on the A1120 junction with the B1113 Needham Road in Stowmarket, the facility is the latest in a programme of joint fire and police stations across the county, aiming to reduce costs for both public services and improve joined-up work between the two blue-light services. The Stowmarket station is the first new build that has been undertaken by this blue light collaboration to date, the 11 other shared stations have all involved refurbishment and extensions on existing fire station sites.
Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner said:
“I am delighted to mark the start of works on this ambitious project with Suffolk Fire and Rescue. This is great news for the Constabulary, for Suffolk Fire and Rescue and for the local communities in Stowmarket and the surrounding villages.
“Working together is absolutely key to meeting the financial challenges that we face. The 11 existing shared stations across the county have proved a tremendous success. This new facility in Stowmarket and the new joint station at Princes Street in Ipswich will see equal benefit I’m sure.
“This collaboration saves the public purse the cost of running multiple buildings and improves the joint working of these two-key blue-light services, which makes perfect sense.”
Councillor Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Public Protection & Communities at Suffolk County Council, said:
“It’s really exciting to get construction of this project underway. I’m particularly pleased to see a focus on the reduction of carbon emissions and use of green alternatives as part of the build.
“I’m sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service colleagues will be proud to serve the local community from a station which is designed to consider its local environment too. Coupled with all the new facilities that will be available to our emergency services, this will be an excellent base from which we can continue to keep Suffolk safe.”
The £3.7m build is funded by a £1.24m grant from the Department Communities and Local Government, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocation of £431k, £1.5m from the Police and Crime Commissioner and £550k from Suffolk County Council/Suffolk Fire and Rescue. The land was purchased by the PCC and SCC, and it will be jointly owned.
The new station, designed by Concertus and being built by Morgan Sindall Construction, will benefit from excellent access to the main A14 arterial road network as well as access to the local road network in and around Stowmarket itself.