DEMOLITION has begun onsite at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) in Birkenshaw ahead of multi-million-pound plans to redevelop the headquarters.
Dramatic images show the main training building being brought to the ground in the last few days as the site is cleared ready for the development.
The pictures show how far the demolition has come since work began on the site just over two months ago.
I don’t think that there will be much left of @WYFRS Training Centre by tomorrow morning! From this pile of rubble and steel will grow a new state of the art HQ and Training facility pic.twitter.com/twYAgwt9ad
— Dave Walton (@WYFRSDaveWalton) November 30, 2022
Developer Willmott Dixon is now working with WYFRS to flatten existing buildings so the new build can begin early in the new year.
The current training centre on Bradford Road is being pulled down to allow for the three-storey complex to be built.
Staff currently operate out of Grade II-listed Oakroyd Hall, which will be sold once the new building is ready, which is expected to be in 2024.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said: “It is great to see the work cracking on, as it shows this is all really happening.
"Having a modern, fit for purpose, future-proof building for us to use for all our training and corporate purposes is something which has been on the cards for over a decade, but never got underway.
“We are moving forward with transforming our service to best serve our communities and keep the people of West Yorkshire safe. This new building forms a key part in terms of how we will deliver this.”
Cleckheaton fire station, which was built in 1952 and is outdated, will close with a replacement built as part of the new headquarters development.
The Birkenshaw and Cleckheaton sites will be consolidated into a modern and fit-for-purpose building, which will be energy efficient.
Now further improvements for the wider site are expected to be given the green light at a meeting shortly.
This latest scheme includes the demolition of the fire training building, the extension of the yard, recladding of the Breathing Apparatus building and a link building between that and the Technical Training Centre.
In addition, the scheme involves creating dog kennels on the site.
The plans are being recommended for approval when it goes before the Council’s strategic planning committee on Thursday, December 8, at 9.30am.
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