STOURPOINT 5 has been confirmed as the chosen location for the new controversial Wyre Forest Emergency Services Hub.

The location of £5.9 million facility was decided at the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority meeting this morning (December 15). 

The hub was given the go ahead by the Fire Authority in October and negotiations have since taken place to secure the chosen site, which is located in Stourport Road.

Chairman Derek Prodger MBE, who made the announcement this morning, said: "I am pleased to reveal that we have now agreed terms - subject to contract - to acquire Stourpoint 5 as the site for the new Wyre Forest Emergency Services Hub, which I believe will have a positive impact on the communities of Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport and result in a more resilient prevention, protection and emergency response function."

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service chief officer, Nathan Travis, added: "Both sites that were consulted on were deemed suitable, however after further analysis, Stourpoint 5 was deemed the preferred location.

"I am delighted that we can now move forward with the build at our chosen site. 

"The new hub will have many benefits including collaborative working opportunities, improved management of a broader range of community risks and excellent training facilities for our staff which will ultimately help us deliver the best services we possibly can to the Wyre Forest area."

The hub, which successfully secured £2.38 million of government funding back in 2013, will see the closure of all three town’s individual fire stations, with the two Kidderminster fire crews and the retained Stourport and Bewdley crews’ relocating to the one site – which would also house police, ambulance and voluntary organisations.

Before a decision on the location was made, two extensive public consultations took place - one on the principle of the hub and one on the location.

When the hub was given the green light in October, Fire Brigade Union (FBU) chiefs slammed the decision, arguing it would increase response times by two-and-a-half minutes putting lives of residents and firefighters “at risk”.

However, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said pressures to balance the budget, the chance to work together and share intelligence with other blue light services and a reduction in the number of call outs were driving factors for the facility.

Steve Gould, from the FBU, said: "By closing fire stations in Stourport and Bewdley, they are increasing response times by two-and-a-half minutes.

"Fire and smoke spreads very quickly and that extra time will see firefighters facing far more severe incidents.

"Throughout the whole process, we have said that the safety of the public and our crews is of paramount importance. But this new facility will not provide that safety."

For more information on the project and the previous consultations, visit hwfire.org.uk.