DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been granted permission by West Devon Borough Council to upgrade Bere Alston Fire Station.

The fire authority applied to extend the fire station, build a new ramp and replace and relocate the training tower.

The reconfiguration will provide improved facilities for firefighters to change into their kit and clean equipment and decontaminate it after attending a shout. The plans also include a disabled toilet with a ramp to access it.

In a statement provided to the planners, Ellie Scott from the fire service explained that the current buildings were built in the 1960s and only had one toilet and shower room, which is considered insufficient nowadays and which also does not comply with disability legislation

‘The station was designed to comply with the minimum requirements of an on-call station at the time, which is now outdated,’ she said at the time of the application. ‘Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are proposing an extension to the existing building to provide improved facilities as required by a modern service.

‘The existing lecture, office and WC spaces have been reconfigured [in the new plans] to suit an improved space for drill nights and training.’