Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Plans £7.6 Million Training Facility

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service intends to construct a new training facility, valued at £7.6 million, within a village in Leicestershire. This “major investment” is proposed by the brigade for a location situated on the southern periphery of Billesdon, which lies to the east of Leicester. While the service has presented specifics of the Gaulby Lane facility plans, including artist’s impressions, a formal planning application has not yet been submitted to Harborough District Council. The facility will provide training for firefighters in “hazardous situations they are likely to face,” encompassing scenarios such as high-rise building rescues and motorway incidents. An open evening was conducted on Thursday at Billesdon Fire Station to provide residents with further details about the project. Residents were informed that the proposed training and development centre will incorporate “advanced operational zones,” which have been designed in accordance with the most recent recommendations from the Grenfell Tower public enquiry. Additionally, the centre will feature a multi-storey fire behaviour unit, an area dedicated to animal rescue, and a specific section for a simulated motorway. Billesdon Fire Station, established in 1962, is slated to relocate to this new site. Chief fire officer Callum Faint stated that the facility “will ensure we are as prepared for as many different, dynamic fire and rescue scenarios as possible both for now and the long-term future.” The fire service indicated that it is currently in the process of submitting a planning application. Should planning approval be granted, the land designated for the facility will be acquired from Leicestershire County Council for £1.7 million. The service anticipates commencing site clearance for construction in 2025. County councillor Lee Breckon commented: “We’re really pleased that Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are aiming to turn this brownfield site that we no longer need into a first-class training facility.”