East Cowes could get an ‘essential’ new fire station, replacing the previously demolished one.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) submitted a planning application to County Hall for a replacement building.
HIWFRS’s plans include a station with a Response Unit and Fleet Maintenance Facility, car parking provision and landscaping.
Essential fire station
A Design and Access Statement prepared by Boyle and Summers on behalf of HIWFRS said,
“Maintaining an operational fire station in East Cowes is essential, as it provides critical fire coverage to the northeast of the Isle of Wight, an area with significant marine, industrial, and heritage risks.
“The previous fire station was structurally unsafe, beyond economic repair, and contained asbestos, necessitating complete demolition in September 2024.
“Likewise, the existing Fleet Maintenance Centre (FMC) at Newport Fire Station has reached the end of its economic life and requires significant investment for building fabric repairs.
“Therefore, the vacant site in East Cowes provided an opportunity to combine both facilities. The East Cowes site is ready for redevelopment.”
The proposed fire station has a ‘relatively traditional form’ with a ‘rectangular layout’ and ‘simple hipped roof’, Boyle and Summers said.
Dean Haward, Group Manager for the Isle of Wight said,
“The fire service is committed to returning the East Cowes crews to their base in the town. Thanks to the support of our Fire Authority and the work of our Estates team, who have worked closely with our Isle of Wight council partners, we are making great progress to doing just that.
“Our on-call teams, not just in East Cowes, but across the Island and wider Service, are valued members of their communities, showing incredible dedication to protect the local areas in which they live and work.
“We truly value them for sacrificing their time to make life safer in our community.”
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (25/00696/FUL).
The public consultation runs until 16th June and a decision is due by 9th July 2025.
Article edit
9.27am 20th May 2025 – DH comment added, reference to other stations removed
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
