The Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority has approved plans to progress a major refurbishment and reconfiguration of High Wycombe Fire Station, marking a significant milestone in one of the Service’s most important estate investment projects.
The decision follows the presentation of the business case for the project, which identified the station’s continued strategic importance to operational response across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, while highlighting the need to address significant building condition, infrastructure and suitability challenges.
Opened in 1966, High Wycombe Fire Station remains a critical operational base at the heart of the county. A recent structural survey confirmed that the existing structure can continue to serve the community for at least another 50 years if the recommended refurbishment and maintenance works are completed.
The approved option is a comprehensive refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing station on its current site. The project will retain the station’s operational location while modernising facilities and infrastructure to meet the needs of a contemporary fire and rescue service.
Planned improvements include:
- Enhanced firefighter welfare, changing and rest facilities.
- Improved accessibility and inclusive accommodation.
- Modern contaminant control and decontamination arrangements.
- Future proofing the building for modern-sized fire engines and specialist capabilities
- Upgraded drainage systems and environmental protection measures
- Improved energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Importantly, maintaining community safety and operational response throughout the project will remain a key priority. While detailed arrangements for the construction phase are still being developed, the project team is working through a range of options to ensure emergency response capability is maintained throughout the programme. This includes exploring opportunities for phased construction and partial occupation arrangements that could allow operational activity to continue from the site while refurbishment works are underway.
The business case makes clear that operational response must be maintained within Service-approved tolerances throughout delivery. Any final approach will be designed to minimise disruption and ensure local communities continue to receive the emergency cover and protection.
The Service is also committed to keeping staff, representative bodies, local communities, partners and other stakeholders informed as the project progresses. Regular updates will be shared throughout the design, planning and delivery phases, ensuring people understand key milestones, project developments and any operational arrangements required while work is taking place.
The project will also support firefighter health and wellbeing by creating clearly defined clean and dirty zones, improving ventilation and providing modern welfare facilities that reflect the needs of a diverse workforce.
Louise Harrison, Chief Fire Officer said
“The approval of this £8 million investment is an important step towards delivering a modern fire station that will serve High Wycombe and the surrounding communities for decades to come.
This project will provide better facilities for our people, improve sustainability, support firefighter safety through enhanced contamination controls, and create a more inclusive working environment. We recognise that this is a complex project and are committed to engaging openly with local communities as the plans progress.
Importantly, High Wycombe Fire Station will remain at the heart of the community, with its location continuing to provide an excellent base from which to respond to emergencies and keep people safe.”
Llew Monger, Chair of the Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said:
“The Fire Authority is committed to investing in the assets, infrastructure and people that help keep our communities safe.
Approval of this project is an important milestone for Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a modern, resilient fire and rescue service for the future. By refurbishing and reconfiguring High Wycombe Fire Station, we are protecting a strategically important operational base while improving facilities for the firefighters who serve our communities every day.
We understand that residents will want reassurance that emergency response services will continue throughout the project. Maintaining community safety will remain our overriding priority, and we will continue to keep local people, staff and stakeholders updated as the project develops.”
The next phase of the project will focus on design development, planning engagement, operational planning and obtaining the approvals required before construction begins. If timelines are achieved as planned, the refurbished station is expected to be occupied by during 2029.
This investment represents a significant commitment to maintaining operational resilience, supporting our people and ensuring that High Wycombe Fire Station continues to serve local communities for generations to come.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the project can watch the recording of the Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority meeting where the decision was approved. The recording is available on the Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service YouTube channel.