Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority was being asked yesterday to back a land swap deal with neighbouring Telford College of Arts and Technology which would see Wellington Fire Station moved to a new site.
Bosses of the award-winning college, which has more than 17,000 students, want to expand onto the Haybridge Road plot currently occupied by the fire station.
In return, firefighters would share a new building on the college campus under a rent-free lease for 50 years. A deal for the “co-location” has been agreed in principle between fire service and college chiefs.
The fire authority was yesterday being asked to give its backing, subject to finances being sorted out.
It follows an approach by the college (TCAT) to take over the fire station site next door, the base for 10 full-time and 15 retained firefighters and officers.
The college, which recently won a Queen’s Award and is rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, wants more space in which to develop its role as the largest provider of further education in Shropshire.
Chief Fire Officer Alan Taylor has considered other sites in the area but believes a joint-use operation on the college campus is the best bet.
In a report to Wednesday’s meeting, he says this would enable firefighters to continue protecting the public while providing a source of potential recruits among students.
“Working closely with one of the top performing colleges in the country will bring performance benefits for the whole service,” Mr Taylor says.
“The college will run work experience, Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme on our behalf.
“There will be a world class building environment for our staff and open access to all college facilities such as lecture rooms, refectory and gym.”
Mr Taylor adds: “Staff at Wellington will be affected, both in disruption during the construction and from a change in working practices following the works. The affected staff are being consulted.”
The scheme depends on the college winning funding from the Learning and Skills Council.
TCAT bosses expect to learn the outcome of their bid within three months, with work expected to start in March/April 2009 for completion by September 2011.
Providing temporary accommodation for firefighters during construction would cost the fire service up to £200,000.
