London Fire Brigade is set to return to its historic headquarters on Albert Embankment after receiving planning permission for plans at the site from Lambeth Council. This will see its historic site refurbished to provide a fire station, office space and community spaces.
Much of the site was constructed in the 1930s to serve as the Brigade’s headquarters. In the 1980s, an extension was added to the building to house the service’s Control Room. The approved plans will see both the original 1930s building and the later extension refurbished.
Part of the works on the site will see the existing Lambeth Fire Station, which occupies the ground and first floor of the building, modernised and refitted. This will include new equipment stores and workspaces, as well as remodelled accommodation for firefighters. Training facilities on the site will be improved and the station’s appliance bays adapted for modern emergency vehicles.
The building's vacant office space will be brought back into service as the Brigade’s Headquarters. These offices will become home to the professional services that facilitate the Brigade’s daily work. Moving the Brigade’s Headquarters back to Lambeth also creates value for money from Londoners, by removing the need to rent office space.
The redevelopment at Lambeth will also provide new community spaces for local residents and Londoners. Plans will see the creation of a new community room at the base of the 1980s extension, open for use by local resident groups. Alongside this will be a new home for the Brigade’s historic collection. Centred around the Brigade’s existing Memorial Hall, where the sacrifice of fallen London firefighters is remembered, it will be a space where the public can learn about and engage with the Brigade’s history.
To ensure the views and needs of nearby residents and the local community were considered, the Brigade conducted a series of consultations with the local community prior to submitting its planning application, which followed a thorough options appraisal.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “Moving back to Lambeth is a historic occasion for the Brigade. This building is part of the culture of the organisation and I know it holds special significance across our workforce.
“These plans will not just deliver an upgraded fire station to serve the people of Lambeth but also provide a modern HQ for the Brigade, while preserving an important part of the Brigade and London’s history.
“Refurbishing and modernising an existing building offers the best value for Londoners and ensures we maintain an important presence in the heart of London.”
Part of the works on the site will see the existing Lambeth Fire Station, which occupies the ground and first floor of the building, modernised and refitted. This will include new equipment stores and workspaces, as well as remodelled accommodation for firefighters. Training facilities on the site will be improved and the station’s appliance bays adapted for modern emergency vehicles.
The building's vacant office space will be brought back into service as the Brigade’s Headquarters. These offices will become home to the professional services that facilitate the Brigade’s daily work. Moving the Brigade’s Headquarters back to Lambeth also creates value for money from Londoners, by removing the need to rent office space.
The redevelopment at Lambeth will also provide new community spaces for local residents and Londoners. Plans will see the creation of a new community room at the base of the 1980s extension, open for use by local resident groups. Alongside this will be a new home for the Brigade’s historic collection. Centred around the Brigade’s existing Memorial Hall, where the sacrifice of fallen London firefighters is remembered, it will be a space where the public can learn about and engage with the Brigade’s history.
To ensure the views and needs of nearby residents and the local community were considered, the Brigade conducted a series of consultations with the local community prior to submitting its planning application, which followed a thorough options appraisal.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “Moving back to Lambeth is a historic occasion for the Brigade. This building is part of the culture of the organisation and I know it holds special significance across our workforce.
“These plans will not just deliver an upgraded fire station to serve the people of Lambeth but also provide a modern HQ for the Brigade, while preserving an important part of the Brigade and London’s history.
“Refurbishing and modernising an existing building offers the best value for Londoners and ensures we maintain an important presence in the heart of London.”
The project will be delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors and Pick Everard on behalf of the Brigade. Turley has provided planning consultancy services, Kanda has led community and stakeholder engagement, and 5 Plus developed the Stage 2 architectural design.