Fire service plans to build £7.6m training facility

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is planning to build a new £7.6m training facility in a Leicestershire village.

The brigade is proposing the "major investment" for a site on the southern edge of Billesdon, east of Leicester.

The service has outlined details of the Gaulby Lane facility plans alongside artist's impressions, but a formal planning application has not yet been made to Harborough District Council.

Firefighters will be trained "for hazardous situations they are likely to face" including high-rise building rescues and motorway incidents.

An open evening to reveal more about the project to residents was held at Billesdon Fire Station on Thursday.

Villagers were shown the planned training and development centre will include "advanced operational zones" developed in line with the latest recommendations from the Grenfell Tower public enquiry.

It will also feature a multi-storey fire behaviour unit, an animal rescue area and a dedicated section for a mock motorway.

Billesdon Fire Station, originally built in 1962, will move to the new site.

Chief fire officer Callum Faint said the facility "will ensure we are as prepared for as many different, dynamic fire and rescue scenarios as possible both for now and the long-term future".

The fire service said it was in the process of submitting a planning application.

Following planning approval, the land for the facility will be purchased from Leicestershire County Council for £1.7m, with the service hoping to begin clearing the site for construction in 2025.

County councillor Lee Breckon said: "We're really pleased that Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are aiming to turn this brownfield site that we no longer need into a first-class training facility."

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