Plumstead fire station extension nears completion
Construction work to extend and refurbish the Grade II listed Plumstead fire station is nearing completion.
A new entrance/exit for appliances has been built on Plumstead High Street to replace those facing Lakedale Road.
Plans were submitted back in 2021 – covered here – and followed a potential move to another site. In 2015 “the former London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority agreed to secure land at Griffin Manor Way for a fire station”. That was halted in a decision revealed in 2020.
The corner lantern is being restored but not yet in place.
Exiting fire station
The current station has been in operation since 1907 and is probably the best building on the High Street occupying a prominent spot at a four-way junction.
The rear was always a bit scruffy for as long as I can remember.
Some nasty old corrugated fencing sat between some of Plumstead’s finest buildings. This is a vast improvement.
I’m a bit disappointed they didn’t put “Plvmstead” on the new signs as seen on the 1907 original above.
Gates will be installed between the building and The Volunteer next door which looked a hell of a lot better than what stood before. Here’s a pic to give a bit of context showing neighbouring buildings.
That gap was previously home to a bakery which closed in the 1970s according to a Heritage Statement included within the application.
The 1970s was before my time so it’d be interesting if anyone recalls why the bakery site was pulled down. Vehicle access perhaps?
An archaeological dig prior to work commencing discovered remnants of former uses on site. Click here to find out more.
As part of the current project the drill tower will be replaced. When fire appliances move to their new homes the existing space will become a community centre.
The 2021 application stated that renovations to the 1907 structure would be undertaken:
“We propose restoring newly built original 1906 period doors to the existing Appliance Bay as well as restoring and reopening the original front door.
“The brickwork and stone facing will also be carefully cleaned, checked for defects and repaired where necessary.”
