London Fire Brigade set for return to historic Lambeth headquarters

Much of the site was constructed in the 1930s to serve as the London Fire Brigade’s headquarters. In the 1980s, an extension was added to the building in order to house the service’s Control Room. The approved plans will now see both the original 1930s building and the later extension refurbished.

Part of the works on the site will see the existing Lambeth Fire Station, which occupies the ground and first floor of the building, modernised and refitted. This will include new equipment stores and workspaces, as well as remodelled accommodation for firefighters. Training facilities on the site will be improved and the station’s appliance bays adapted for modern emergency vehicles.

The building’s vacant office space will be brought back into service as the Brigade’s headquarters. These offices will become home to the professional services that facilitate the London Fire Brigade’s daily work. Moving the London Fire Brigade’s headquarters back to Lambeth also creates value for money for Londoners by removing the need to rent office space.   

The redevelopment at Lambeth will also provide new community spaces for local residents and Londoners. Plans will see the creation of a new community room at the base of the 1980s extension and open for use by local resident groups. Alongside this will be a new home for the London Fire Brigade’s historic collection. Centred around the Brigade’s existing Memorial Hall, where the sacrifice of fallen London firefighters is remembered, it will be a space where the public can learn about and engage with the Brigade’s history.

Series of consultations

In order to ensure the views and needs of nearby residents and the local community were considered, the Brigade conducted a series of consultations with the local community prior to submitting its planning application, which followed a thorough options appraisal.

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “Moving back to Lambeth is an historic occasion for the London Fire Brigade. This building is part of the culture of the organisation and I know it holds a very special significance across our workforce.”

Smith continued: “These plans will not just deliver an upgraded fire station to serve the people of Lambeth, but also provide a modern headquarters for the Brigade, while at the same time preserving an important part of the Brigade and London’s history.”

According to Smith: “Refurbishing and modernising an existing building offers the best value for Londoners and ensures that we maintain an important presence in the heart of the capital.”

The project will be delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors and Pick Everard on behalf of the Brigade. Turley has provided planning consultancy services, Kanda has led community and stakeholder engagement and 5 Plus has developed the Stage 2 architectural design.

*Further information is available online at www.london-fire.gov.uk