Pictures show what Hereford's new fire station would look like

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has asked Herefordshire Council if it can demolish the existing fire station in St Owen Street, as well as the training tower and other buildings.

In its place, it wants to build a new four-storey fire station, training tower, associated car parking and cycle storage, external training area, refuel facility, substations, telecommunications antenna, vehicular access and associated works.

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Consultants Bond Bryan said the existing 1950s fire station is no longer fit for purpose, uneconomic to operate and poor in its environmental performance.

In artist's impressions shared with a design and access statement, the pictures show what the new station would look like.

The main entrance of the new building would still be from St Owen Street. Picture: Bond Bryan/HW Fire/Herefordshire Council

It would be built out of brick and metal cladding, which consultants said would suit the area, but would also be a contemporary addition.

The materials are easy to maintain yet robust to provide a suitable solution, they added.

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The proposed new building, which needs to be approved by Herefordshire Council planners, will have four double appliance bays alongside appropriate operational accommodation and welfare requirements for the fire and rescue service, consultants said.

The site will also have a training tower alongside staff/operational and visitor car parking and electric vehicle charging points.

The current Hereford Fire Station which was built in the 1950s

On weekdays, up to 18 workers would be based at the station, including up to nine firefighters, two station commanders and one group commander.

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Overnight there would be up to five firefighters at the station, and on weekend daytimes up to nine.

The new fire station is needed as the current one is not fit for purpose, consultants say. Picture: Bond Bryan/HW Fire/Herefordshire Council

The ground floor, which would have a main entrance from St Owen Street and staff entrance at the rear, would also have drive-through bays for fire engines, a pole drop from the upper floors, and kit and equipment space.

On the first floor would be a watch and community room, as well as office space.

On the second floor, there would be accommodation for crews, including a gym, a multi-faith space, pole drop and training room.

Up on the third floor, there would be more offices and meeting space.

The proposed scheme provides a total of 26 car parking spaces comprising of 15 car parking bays, one disabled parking space and 10 on-call parking bays. There would also be four parking bays to the rear of the site for cars used for crash training.

The proposed materials to be used to build the fire station are a mix of brickwork with metal cladding.

Consultation on application 223339 is open until January 8.

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