A new fire station is set to be approved in a Derbyshire town, replacing an ageing and out-of-date facility.
Matlock Fire Station, in Chesterfield Road, was built more than 60 years ago and is in dire need of replacing, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service says.
It plans to demolish the current station and rebuild a modern replacement on the same site, with Derbyshire Dales District Council officers recommending that the plans are approved.
A decision will be made by councillors on Tuesday, October 11.
The new facility would accommodate two fire engines and include a new fire tower and “smoke house” for training purposes.
Cllr Paul Cruise, responding to the application, commented: “Developing the new fire station I am sure will get general support from the community – this critical emergency service needs up to date facilities.
“Please encourage the developer to undertake effective consultation with the community. Bringing the community with us on development is essential.
“I am very concerned about the hedge and would like assurances that any plans will protect this beautiful natural asset, also we need to ensure that any approved development minimises disruption to residents.”
Cllr Steve Flitter said he supported the plans in principle but wants residents to be given the chance to have their say at a planning meeting.
The council’s tree officer says numerous trees will be cut down as part of the plans and that these should be replaced elsewhere on the site.
A total of nine residents responded to the application, with five offering general comments and four objecting to the proposals.
They comment: “The submitted visual gives the appearance of a building that would have an overbearing/dominating presence on the street scene.”
“The loss of the beech hedge along the southern boundary would be detrimental to visual amenity and biodiversity.”
If render is deemed to be acceptable, then a less bright colour choice is considered to be more appropriate.”
“The new design is a much better concept to the original station and can see that there is a need for improvements.”
“Though the current plans show a hedge being replanted on the fire station side of the security fence this will take many years to mature. It will mean that my property is bordered by a commercial security fence which in comparison to the beech hedge will look an eyesore.”
“At the moment there is a bright security light that shines dawn to dusk directly into my lounge, blocked by the hedge if I sit, blinding if I stand.”
“There are a lot of properties in close proximity to the development that would suffer from all the noise and disruption involved in the construction.”
Planning officers, recommending approval, wrote: “The proposed development would deliver a new fire station that would meet the operational requirements of a modern service and will deliver a building that is more efficient and can incorporate measures to help adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“The development would deliver betterment in terms of surface water drainage, will be of a design, layout and scale that will be compatible with its surroundings and will continue to be served by a safe means of access and appropriate parking and manoeuvring space.”
The fire service had estimated that the new build was going to cost £3.2 million, with the current 1959 facility in need of demolition and replacement.
It said the project would be largely paid for through “fire houses” on-site, which used to provide accommodation for firefighters so that they could be nearby to respond to incidents.
To date, 10 of the former fire houses on the site, which are said to be no longer required, have been sold. The two remaining houses will be retained for now but sold at a later date.
The fire service says that while the existing station is demolished, facilities would be moved to temporary space either on site or elsewhere in the town.
Documents submitted by JTP Architects, on behalf of the fire service, say: “The building is spatially inefficient and is no longer fit for purpose to meet the operational requirements of the duty system and for the needs of a modern, diverse service.
“The proposed scheme aims to achieve a design which is spatially efficient and provides all the facilities a modern fire station building requires.”
