Plans for £17m three-storey fire station unveiled

It will be built on the site of the current "outdated" 1970s station, a fire service said

A fire service has announced plans to build a £17m fire station to replace an "outdated" building.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said the new station would be built on the site of the current 1970s Moulton Road station in Northampton.

Facilities will include more space for fire engines, flexible working spaces and eight individual dormitories, subject to planning approval.

Chief fire officer Nikki Watson said it would give crews the "modern, safe working conditions they both need and deserve".

The current Moulton Road station opened in 1977

The three-storey building will be a stand-alone fire station, after a previous decision to make it a joint police and fire hub was reversed.

The county's police, fire and crime commissioner Danielle Stone said: "I want both services to work together and share buildings where it makes sense to do so, but I want the eastern district to retain a visible policing presence."

An adjacent vacant former office complex is included in the rebuild plans.

Once work starts, fire crews will be relocated, but Ms Watson said they would stay "based in the heart of Moulton".

The Weston Favell police station will be closed once a new location is found for it, although it will stay open until a replacement is ready.

It was described as "no longer fit for modern policing purposes".

Northamptonshire Police chief constable Ivan Balhatchet confirmed it would stay in the area.

"I want us to increase our presence in the communities we serve and as we strengthen neighbourhood policing across the county, which means having buildings and officers that are visible and accessible to the public," he said.