Fire brigade HQ plans to move next door to new Ikea store

In the summer, the fire service took the decision to move its headquarters from Dee Road, Tilehurst, to Pincents Lane, Calcot, next to the intended site of a 40,000 sq m Ikea, which gained permission in April.
The fire service has now submitted a planning application to convert a two-storey, 3,333sq m office, which was built in 1986 and is currently vacant, where emergency calls will be answered.
Changes to security fencing, vehicle and pedestrian access gates and CCTV are proposed.
The move will include the relocation of 180 members of staff.
A decision by West Berkshire Council is expected by December 11.
The new building will also be the location of the Thames Valley Fire Control Service, a shared fire control centre between Berkshire, Oxfordshire and, potentially, Buckinghamshire.
Buckinghamshire has approved the proposal to join the service. This is now subject to further approval by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and Oxfordshire County Council cabinet members.
The building will include purpose-built accommodation for the new joint Control, including improved security measures
Berkshire deputy chief fire officer Olaf Baars said: “The potential for further collaborations with other organisations has always been a key part of the planning for our joint control function and I am delighted that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has chosen to join the Thames Valley Fire control service.
“I am confident that this prospective new development will lead to an even better, more cost-effective service for the people of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.”
The fire service is also looking for a new site for Dee Road fire station, but no announcement on this has been made.
Meanwhile, Ikea is about to start demolition work at Pincents Lane to make way for the new store, with a formal notice lodged with the district council.
Ikea spokesman Lewis Marshall said: “The demolition of the vacant retail warehouse buildings was included in the initial planning application and we have now submitted a formal notification that we will start the work in the coming weeks.”