Hereford is to get a new temporary fire station – apparently as an interim measure while its current one is rebuilt.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has made a planning application (number 241471) to relocate in the city to Mortimer Trading Centre, the mixed light industrial area east of Holmer Road and north of Newtown Road, both part of the main A49.

Adjoining a larger industrial building currently used by children’s inflatable play attraction Flip Out, it appears that the 1,200-square-metre premises was previously used by mechanical engineering firm Marshfield Crosskeys, which went into liquidation in early 2023.

RELATED NEWS:

The application gives little detail of the proposed move beyond setting out the planned internal and external changes to the building.

Two of the three doors on its north side, serving as ‘in’ and ‘out’ doors, would be replaced and the third bricked up, while inside there would be room for four fire engines, two vans, a boat, trailer and towing vehicle.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

Two kit rooms, five rest rooms, a locker room, kitchen and dining area, training room, TV room and gym would also be created, along with 16 new outside parking spaces and a cycle store.

The fire service was given planning permission in April last year to knock the city’s current 1950s fire station on St Owen Street, which it said was “no longer fit for purpose, uneconomic to operate and poor in its environmental performance”, and replace it with a more suitable and sustainable building.

The fire service has been asked for further information on its proposal, which can be commented on until July 25.