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Home » News & Events » 2014 » October » New Hereford Fire Station Planning Application Withdrawn Because of Conservation Concerns

New Hereford Fire Station Planning Application Withdrawn Because of Conservation Concerns

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Herefordshire Council had originally identified Bath Street as a suitable location for this scheme and approached HWFRS due to the site having sufficient space for our operational resources, its proximity to the existing fire station location to ensure the continued availability of our Retained Duty Staff and its access to the City.

As part of this development, Hereford Council had agreed to exchange part of the land at Bath Street in return for the current fire station site enabling the new station to be built and the site in St Owen Street redeveloped on completion of the scheme.

Having met all of its key strategic requirements, the Service duly submitted a planning application in August and engaged in an extensive public consultation process. Significant concerns were raised by a number of groups that the development was within the city's conservation area.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates commented: 'Having carefully considered the concerns raised during the public consultation process, the Service intends to withdraw its planning application for a new fire station in Bath Street at this present time with a view to considering how best to respond to the concerns.

The Service remains committed to building a new fire station that retains its location in the heart of Hereford and we will continue to consider our options.

'We are looking to replace the current station in St Owen Street because it is in poor condition and no longer suitable for existing and future station requirements. A new station would incorporate essential training facilities for Hereford's crews and have facilities providing exciting development opportunities to encourage the growth of the Young Firefighters Association in the city.'