Work on a £1.1 million community fire station with
library and police office at Wragby will, subject to detailed
planning approval, start this summer and will herald the start of
an envisaged 5-year plan by developers to bring new businesses and
ultimately 1,000 new jobs to the area.
"The fire station is the first piece of the jigsaw. We expect
work to start on this six-month contract in June of this year and
this will kick-start the phased development of the 34 acres which
we anticipate will ultimately create 1,000 new jobs over the next
ten years," said Adrian Goose, a director for Nottingham based
developer, Millbrook Business Park Limited.
"We are very keen to secure a good future for Wragby and feel
optimistic that the first green shoots of a recovery following the
recession are emerging as we are seeing strong interest from
potential businesses interested in this development site" said
Adrian Goose, whose company received planning permission early 2009
to redevelop, but were forced to delay plans due to the
recession.
"This really is excellent news for people in Wragby, the region
and for Millbrook Business Park Limited, the developer. This
represents a very significant investment and not only does it hold
out the immediate prospect for improved community services but in
the longer term, many more jobs for local people. It really does
send out a very positive message to be welcomed after the past
couple of years of recession," said Stephen Bradford, partner at
Hodgson Elkington, chartered surveyors, the agent marketing the
multi-million pound Millbrook Business Park development.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue submitted plans to build the new
station to replace the current site in Bardney Road because, they
say, the village's existing station is inadequate and believe the
new proposal at Millbrook will provide improved training facilities
for firefighters as well as housing community services. A
police office and library are also being considered as well
as other community facilities, creating in effect a community
hub.
The fire station will be staffed and operated by a retained crew
of up to 10 people who will respond to call-outs and will include a
four-storey training building, plus an area to practice mock ditch
rescues.
The detailed planning application, which includes public
consultation, is currently with Lincolnshire County Council
"The current fire station in Bardney Road is no longer fit for
purpose with regard to training facilities, appliance room size and
lacks community facilities. One of the goals is to provide a
sustainable community centre employing the latest solar energy
capture and wind turbines systems and to encourage the use of the
station by local government officers or council members and members
of the public as a local meeting place," said to Andy Whitfield,
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's resources operations manager.
Lincoln-based Trent Valley Construction Limited has been
appointed as contractor to build the new facility.
The Millbrook Business Park, situated near a major housing
development, has outline planning permission for a number of
commercial uses, which include showrooms, a pub/restaurant, creche
and trade counter operations. Hodgson Elkington say the developers
will consider proposals for freehold serviced land from half an
acre upwards and Design & Build options.