Rebecca Paul MP and Cllr Luke Bennett welcome the delay to the closure of Banstead Fire Station and the renewed focus on finding an alternative site closer by. Surrey Fire & Rescue (SFRS) have confirmed that they have agreed a one-year extension to the Banstead Fire Station lease to provide the additional time needed to perform an extensive review of potential sites for a new fire station in the Whyteleafe area.
If a potential site is found, a process will be initiated to explore the planning requirements and seek capital funding approval. However, they have also confirmed that if no suitable site can be found, the relocation of the engine and crew to Godstone Fire Station will take place as originally envisaged towards the end of 2026.
Since the announcement earlier this year that Banstead Fire Station would be closed, there has been much concern within the community. Hundreds of residents have raised their concerns through the public consultation, and local councillors and the Fire Brigades Union have sounded the alarm.
Rebecca Paul MP said:
“I want to thank the Chief Fire Officer for listening and taking on board our concerns about the increased average response times for our villages in the north of the borough as a result of a move to Godstone. Taking the time to properly explore other site locations that would deliver a quicker emergency response for the Banstead area is a sensible way forwards, and I know residents will be reassured to see a change in approach coming out of the public consultation.”
She goes onto say:
“The relocation of the Banstead fire engine and crew to Godstone would increase average response times for critical incidents to more than 10 minutes for Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Walton, Chipstead, Kingswood and Woodmansterne. This is deeply worrying for residents and feels like a backwards step in terms of safety. I am very much hoping that SFRS are successful in their exercise to find an alternative site that better serves the Banstead area. This is a fantastic opportunity to build a new, modern fire station, keeping our communities and our home even safer.”
Councillor Luke Bennett (Surrey County Council) said:
“I very much welcome the Chief Fire Officer’s decision to extend the time available to re-review potential sites for a new purpose-built facility, which could better serve our residents in the north of the Borough. I am particularly grateful to local residents for responding to the public engagement process - and I would also like to thank our new MP Rebecca Paul, for continuing to work tirelessly with me on this important local issue.”
