Fire Plenary Dec 18 answers
Question No: 2018/3582
Andrew Dismore
What is the present position and anticipated timescales re the future of the Albert Embankment site and its redevelopment?
Response
The London Fire Commissioner has a Development Agreement with U and I Group Plc (U+I) for a comprehensive redevelopment of the 8 Albert Embankment site. This includes to retain and restore the Grade II listed building, deliver a modern new fire station and provide a permanent home for the London Fire Brigade Museum. The current timetable for the project includes the submission of a planning application by the end of March 2019.
Subject to a successful planning outcome, it is anticipated that the new fire station should become operational in 2022 and the new museum should open in 2023.
Question No: 2018/3583
Andrew Dismore
What is the present position and anticipated timescales re development of the Southwark site?
Response
The former Southwark Fire Station and Training Centre has been sold to Hadston, on a ‘subject to planning’ basis and all parties are working towards completion of the transaction on 20 December 2018.
We understand from Hadston that they intend to commence the construction project immediately after completion of the transaction and are aiming for a completion date for the scheme of Q1 2021.
Question No: 2018/3580
Andrew Dismore
In relation to those 10 Fire Stations closed by the previous Mayor and now sold, on what date did each close; on what date were they disposed of; what was the cost of a) security and b) repairs pre disposal; what was the capital receipt; and for what alternative use have the buildings now received planning permission or are subject to a planning application?
Response
Ten fire stations were closed on 9 January 2014. The table below provides those details:
| Former fire station | Disposal completion date | Security and repair costs (£)*¹ | Capital
receipts (£) |
Alternative use |
| Belsize | 18/03/16 | 155,157 | 7,800,000 | Residential |
| Bow | 25/03/15 | 86,744 | 6,910,000 | School |
| Clerkenwell | N/A | 484,772 | N/A | N/A |
| Downham | 01/04/15 | 79,701 | 1,228,000 | Residential |
| Kingsland | 23/10/15 | 113,284 | 16,000,000 | Residential and School |
| Knightsbridge | 09/07/15 | 102,194 | 5,750,000 |
N/A *3 |
| Silvertown | 26/03/15 | 77,829 | 6,570,000 | School |
| Southwark | 20/12/18*² | 587,727 | 42,255,000 | Residential and School |
| Westminster | 04/07/16 | 198,999 | 9,400,000 | Residential |
| Woolwich | 27/03/15 | 84,817 | 760,000 | Residential |
| Totals | 1,971,224 | 96,673,000 |
*¹ These costs are stated for the period from the date of closure of the stations to the disposal completion date, except for Clerkenwell which is for the period from 9 January 2014 to 30 October 2018.
*² The former Southwark Fire Station and Training Centre has been sold to Hadston, on a ‘subject to planning’ basis. The London Borough of Southwark has recently granted planning consent for Hadston’s scheme and a Section 106 Agreement has been completed between Southwark, Hadston and LFC. All parties are working towards completion of the transaction on 20 December 2018. The contractual back-stop date for completion of the sale is the end of March 2019.
*3 Knightsbridge Fire Station was a lease surrender rather than a sale. The freeholder bought back our unused lease but we do not believe has determined future plans for the building.
Question No: 2018/3581
Andrew Dismore
In relation to those 10 Fire Stations closed by the previous Mayor and still unsold, on what date did each close; what has been the cost of a) security and b) repairs so far; what is the continuing cost of security per month; when is sale anticipated; what is the anticipated capital receipt now; and what was the anticipated capital receipt when the station was closed; and what is the expectation for the future use of the building?
Response
The only former fire station which is still unsold is Clerkenwell Fire Station which closed in January 2014. The cost of providing security and undertaking repairs up until 30 October 2018 was a) £438,314 for security and b) £46,458 for repairs, with a continuing cost of providing security at £7,500 per month.
The London Fire Commissioner is currently in discussion with the GLA and the London Borough of Islington about the property and that has been the case for a number of years as we have tried to contribute to the Mayor’s housing objectives. It is anticipated that over the next few weeks a decision will be reached on the appropriate method of disposal and the anticipated sale date.
Information regarding the anticipated capital receipt is commercially sensitive and confidential. The actual level of the capital receipt will be dependent upon the method of disposal which is adopted.
There are a number of potential future uses of the building, including residential and commercial.
