Controversial plans to demolish Bath Fire Station are being recommended for approval, even though a review of a government minister’s decision not to list the Art Deco building is under way.
Bath fire station on Bathwick Street | Photo © Bath Echo
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is planning to knock down the station in Bathwick Street and build a replacement modern, fully sustainable facility on the site.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee members will meet on Wednesday 19th November to discuss the proposals. They are being recommended to delegate to council officers to permit the scheme.
Design work on the fire station began in 1937, led by architect Alfred J Taylor. He died the following year, and his architect daughter Molly Taylor took over the project and brought it to completion.
In September, Baroness Twycross, Minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, did not take the advice of Historic England to give the station in a Grade II listing.
She acknowledged some historical interest, particularly in relation to the female architect, but said it was not sufficiently special to meet the high bar for listing.
The Twentieth Century Society (C20), the national charity which has been leading efforts to save the fire station from demolition, then wrote to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport requesting a review of the minister’s decision.
The society said the building is a very rare pre-war project by a female architect, and the only fire station known to have been designed by a female architect.
The site earmarked for a temporary fire station
The station went on to play a crucial role in protecting the city during the ‘Baedeker Blitz’ air raids of 1942, which the society said demonstrates a clear case for historic interest.
The council has asked the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) for an update on the review.
The response this week was: “Unfortunately, we do not provide updates on cases and it is not possible at present to give you a timeframe as to when the case will be completed; each one is unique and therefore take variable times to complete.
“The designation review process itself is non-statutory, which means we are under no statutory obligation to respond to cases within a specific timeframe.
“It is important to note that, unless or until the original decision is overturned, the original decision stands.”
Meanwhile, the council has yet to make a decision on plans for a temporary fire station at Lower Bristol Road.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service says the pre-fabricated facility at the former Unigate Dairies site is essential to maintain critical emergency services during the proposed 18-month redevelopment at Bathwick Street.
The site at Twerton is allocated in the B&NES Local Plan for office/employment use and is further from the city centre and communities east of Bath, so is not considered a feasible or preferable alternative for a permanent new fire station.
