LONG-AWAITED proposals to knock down Barnsley Fire Station and build a £3m replacement on its site are finally picking up pace with planning permission set to be sought in the spring.
Members of the South Yorkshire Fire Authority will meet at Barnsley Town Hall on Monday to discuss the next stages of the project, which will also include a separate unit for the community’s use.
The existing building, on Broadway, Kingstone, forms part of a long-term plan for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) to make substantial investments in future-proofing the brigade, as finances are expected to become increasingly tight in the years ahead.
Having reached the end of its operational life, the building was subject to an assessment before Christmas which looked at all options including a multi-million pound refurbishment which was not deemed viable.
According to a report compiled by chief fire officer James Courtney, designs for the proposed new station have been finalised and, if planning consent is awarded following its submission, a completion date of summer next year has already been targeted.
The report said: “The project is ready to move. The options included a new-build as one unit, new-build with a separate community facility or refurbishment of the current provision.
“After a comprehensive review of the options, a new-build station with a separate community facility was chosen as it met the majority of requirements collected from consultees and provided the best value for money.
“The second stage of the scheme involves a refinement of the stage one design, together with engagement with potential contractors to determine appetite for the scheme.
“Following extensive consultation with stakeholders and the options appraisal, the concept settled upon comprises a three-bay station together with all associated component parts to ensure operational efficiency.
“There will also be a separate unit within the curtilage of the site to house a community room and Prince’s Trust functions this may be of traditional construction or a modular building based on an analysis of options, ensuring that value for money is prioritised.”
It is felt the provision of a community space will provide a valuable addition to the area, drawing on lessons learned from previous successes at Cudworth Fire Station, which was opened in 2011 and is now home to multiple groups.
“Further discussions have taken place with Barnsley Council to ensure cohesion with the works in the vicinity and a dialogue with Greenacre School and other interested parties is underway in respect of the functions at the site,” the report said.
“Next steps include the completion of a procurement strategy for the development, implementation of agreed project governance arrangements, including a range of design and delivery-led meetings featuring key stakeholders and detailed design work to ensure all elements are included.
“Initial discussions with and submissions to the local planning authority will take place by mid-spring.
“The proposed date for completion of the development is summer 2020, though a firm date will depend on many factors, not least the success of the planning application and the tendering processes.
“These will be progressed as quickly as they possibly can be to ensure commencement on site and completion of the development are brought forward from that date if at all possible.”
Barnsley’s new station forms part of a wider investment plan outlined by SYFR, which has allocated more than £8m towards modernising its estate.
Although the build is the biggest scheme in the plan, Tankersley the second of Barnsley’s four operating stations will also receive a £998,000 refurbishment which includes new windows, doors, lighting, wiring, a new kitchen, roof repairs and a thorough redecoration.
Construction at Tankersley is set to start in November and end in March next year.
Stuart Booth, director of support services at SYFR, said: “One of our aspirations is to make our organisation a great place to work. Part of achieving that means investing in the buildings and facilities our staff use every day and we’re pleased to be making progress towards this.”
