Residents Win Fight for New Fire Station in East Cowes

(c) Google Maps

An “essential” new fire station will be built in East Cowes, replacing a previously demolished one.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s (HIWFRS) revised planning application for a replacement fire station on York Avenue in East Cowes has been accepted by County Hall.

The plans include a station with a Response Unit and Fleet Maintenance Facility, car parking provision and landscaping.

(c) Boyle and Summers

A Design and Access Statement prepared by Boyle and Summers on behalf of HIWFRS said:

“Maintaining an operational fire station in East Cowes is essential, as it provides critical fire coverage to the northeast of the Isle of Wight, an area with significant marine, industrial, and heritage risks.

“The nearest alternative stations — Newport, Ryde, and Cowes — are over 15 minutes away, exceeding HIWFRS’s target response time of eight minutes.

“The previous fire station was structurally unsafe, beyond economic repair, and contained asbestos, necessitating complete demolition in September 2024.

“Likewise, the existing Fleet Maintenance Centre (FMC) at Newport Fire Station has reached the end of its economic life and requires significant investment for building fabric repairs.

“Therefore, the vacant site in East Cowes provided an opportunity to combine both facilities. The East Cowes site is ready for redevelopment.”

Boyle and Summers said the proposed station has a ‘relatively traditional form’ with a ‘rectangular layout’ and ‘simple hipped roof’.

Independent East Cowes county councillor Karl Love said he was “very pleased” with the approval.

He told the press:

“I want to thank all those who made comments and those who made their voices heard in helping to positively influence the replacement of the station which looked so uncertain with its sudden closure and no public warning or information.

“I believe it’s because of community response and community action that we were all collectively able to influence and persuade the Fire Authority to rebuild the station, reassuring residents of a local fast response service.

"It’s also with thanks to East Cowes Town Council and Cllr Karen Lucioni for their efforts.”