Knights Hill councillors welcomed to Norwood Road fire station
The fire station at 445 Norwood Road opened in 1914 an age when fireman lived with their families in flats above the engines. The site is fully operational but is now too small for most up to date fire engines . There is no space for engines to turn around so they have to reverse in from the main road. The offices and spaces for cleaning equipment and rest rooms are too small and inadequate for a 21st century fire service. In 2006 the building was listed by English Heritage so the options for adapting the building into a modern fire station are extremely limited
Fire chiefs invited local councillors, Jackie Meldrum, Jane Pickard and Mike Smith to discuss the plans to upgrade West Norwood’s fire service. The Fire Brigade want to build new 2-storey premises halfway up Knights Hill on the site of a derelict care home.
Residents in the local neighbourhood have been invited to see the plans. On Saturday 19th June the plans will be displayed at West Norwood Library, 1 Norwood High Street SE27 9JX. Fire Brigade staff will be present to answer questions. A planning application should be submitted in a few weeks time.
Cllr Pickard said: “On the whole, this looks like good news for residents. West Norwood gets a modern fire station . 210 Knights Hill will not be turned into high-rise housing and the local drainage problems will finally get sorted. But first we must make sure any concerns among residents are fully addressed.”
For more information contact Andres Monsalve on 020 8555 1200 x 31293 or andres.monsalves@london-fire.gov.uk