PLANS for a major overhaul and extension of Malvern Fire Station have been unveiled.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service plans to bring the building, on Worcester Road, in Malvern Link, up to modern standards and ensure it is fit for purpose going forward.

The property’s unusual ‘triangular-prism’ construction is set to give way to a more traditional rectangular building with a flat roof, which the fire service says will “fully alter” its appearance.

However it will also improve the station’s operational capacity, reduce maintenance and make it significantly cheaper to run. Alan Jones, capital projects manager at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) said: “The work proposed at Malvern Fire Station is essential as a number of building elements have reached the end of their design life, resulting in significantly increased maintenance costs.

“Furthermore, the existing building is no longer fit for purpose. The alterations will provide a building with enhanced training facilities, reduced running costs and a vastly improved carbon footprint, that complies with modern building standards and is befitting of a modern fire service.” He said that, subject to the receipt of planning approval from Malvern Hills District Council, work would start in September and last for about 12 months.

Response during this time will be unaffected as fire engines and staff will relocate to the nearby operational logistics site, in Betony Road.

He said that costs would be kept “to a minimum” due to using these nearby facilities and because the refurbishment will retain much of the original 1986 structure. The planning application will be decided by Malvern Hills District Council.

However, while chairman Paul Tuthill said he was delighted to see the station being upgraded, he is not convinced by the plans as they stand.

Coun Tuthill believes they are at odds with £500,000 proposals unveiled earlier this month to refurbish neighbouring Malvern Link railway station.

“It is essentially a box with a glass front and that to me does not seem right for a conservation area. It is just too generic and I would rather see something in between a flat roof and the current spire and I think the way that it is clad needs to fit in with the existing area.

“I welcome an upgrade to the fire station but it seems rather strange that we have this work at the railway station which is reflecting the history and heritage of the conservation area while the fire service is going for something ultra-modern.

“Taking the two together I think it is rather going from the sublime to the ridiculous,” he said.