For sale: Topsham fire station

Community groups may get first dibs

Community groups in Topsham will be able to decide whether they wish to buy the fire station site when crews relocate later this year.

Before the end of the year, the two fire engines based in Topsham will transfer to two new facilities at Middlemoor and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s Headquarters in Clyst St George. Most of the firefighters will transfer, while recent recruits from the local area will also support the relocation.

The decision was made in January by the fire authority, but implementation was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The service says the new arrangements mean they will have flexibility in providing emergency response cover for Topsham and the surrounding area, and will build greater resilience for Exeter.

This week the fire authority unanimous agreed that before they put the Fore Street station onto the open market, they should hold a meeting to explore whether there is a community plan that could work.

Cllr Rob Hannaford, putting forward the proposal, said: “The closure of Topsham was controversial move and a good compromise has been made with moving to the HQ, but I don’t feel that this paper reflects the spirit of the discussions. I still think it is worth discussing with the local members and charity sector in Topsham before we go out to market to see if there is a feasible business plan that could be put together.

“The fire station is at the heart of the local community and if there was ever a place to make things stack up, I think Topsham is that place, and they ought to be given the opportunity to do so. If it comes back there is not an appetite or it is not feasible, then we go for the best value, but I do think we have to be careful and respect the local community.

“There should be a meeting with the local county and three city council members to explore options around community use before going to the market.”

Cllr Sara Randall Johnson, chairman of the committee, said that this wouldn’t mean the site would be disposed at a reduced rate, but to explore the opportunity to see what was out there.She added: “No decision would be made yet, but this would explore if there is any appetite in community to come forward with a plan that fits within our tight criteria.”

The same meeting had earlier approved a new policy on disposal of land that as a general rule, they should seek to obtain the best price that can be obtained, but that discretionary power to dispose of land for less should be exercised only in exceptional circumstances.