Council looking at Slough Fire Station as site for possible development

The Fire Sstation, in Tuns Lane, Slough, has been earmarked as an “opportunity” in official document, the Services and Assets Delivery Plan by the Berkshire Property Partnership. The station is listed as part of a One Public Estate (OPE) application. Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service plans to shut the fire station for refurbishment later this year, posing a potential threat to Slough residents and heaping pressure on to the nearest station in Langley.

According to the report, which has been published online, Slough Borough Council is already considering buying up land nearby as part of its urban renewal project, and could capitalise on the planned refurbishment and closure of the fire station.

A spokesman at Slough Fire Station said: “We know there is something in the pipeline and there is going to be development but we don’t know when and we don’t know where we’d be moved to.”

The plan says the nearby development is “currently a medium term (three to four-year) programme, however, through use of OPE funding potential collaboration with Slough Borough Council could potentially facilitate the release of part of the site for development”.

One Public Estate (OPE) is an initiative delivered in partnership by the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit (GPU) and the Local Government Association (LGA).

Launched in April last year, it aims to provide support and funding to councils to deliver ambitious programmes.

A spokesman for Slough Borough Council said: “Nothing is firm yet. The fire station is something we are looking at as a potential area for development in the future, maybe next door.”

Another potential plan is the re-modelling of the Britwell Hub, in Wentworth Avenue, Slough, to incorporate the GP surgery across the road.

The document says OPE’s objectives with Slough Fire Station are creating economic growth, a more integrated, customer-focused service, generating capital receipts and reducing running costs.