‘Dated’ Whitefield fire station set for overhaul

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service wants to demolish its existing 6,500 sq ft facility off Bury New Road to make way for a larger 13,400 sq ft space.

Architect Bradshaw Gass & Hope has designed and lodged plans with Bury Council on behalf of the emergency service to replace the Whitefield Community Fire Station with a two-storey building on its existing site.

Originally constructed in the 1960s, the current facility is “dated” and “no longer meets the needs of a modern-day fire service”, according to a design and access statement.

Plans for the new fire station include two kit rooms, a workshop, and a pole drop area to be provided on the ground floor. There would also be a training room, which could also be used by the community.

Moving up to the second floor, workers would find five study rooms, a hot desk office, a gym, and a TV room, as well as TV and quiet rooms.

Proposals also call for the construction of a temporary fire station in order to allow the fire service to continue operations while work takes place. The modular two-storey building would be built on the existing car park.

Part of the £38m GMFRS Estates Strategy, Whitefield Community Fire Station will be rebuilt alongside Blackley and Stockport fire stations, as well as those in Heywood and Whitehill. Manchester City Council approved the replacement of Blackley Fire Station last month.

ISG was appointed as the main contractor in January for all five projects, which intend to ensure stations remain fit for purpose and enable GMFRS to provide the best possible service to residents.

Scottish engineering consultant Harley Haddow is helping to craft an energy-efficient design with air source heat pumps, natural ventilation, solar panels, battery storage, and green roofs.

Paul Butler Associates is the planning consultant for the scheme. Also on the project team are Pennine Ecological, Crofton Engineering, IGE Consulting, and LK Group.

To learn more about the plans, search for application number 69940 on Bury Council’s planning portal.