Contributions to land and premises
The formulae do not take account of land costs. Contributions will only be needed for building and establishment costs where the size of a development or impact requires a change to the local fire and rescue facility. This also applies where sufficient and suitable space exists to increase the capacity of an existing facility.
The developer will be required to either provide free suitable land or facilities, or sufficient funding to acquire it if additional land is needed for a new station. The cost of building may be estimated as above or provided on a bespoke basis.
It may be necessary to purchase additional land, not as a result by the fire and rescue service risk forecast from a single development. Different developments in an area may create the need for a suitable sized fire station. Contributions from multiple developers may be required for a new or enlarged station.
Land required for a new fire and rescue facility, or an extension to an existing one, should be provided free of charge by the developer. Before a master plan is produced for the proposed development, the location, accessibility, size of the site area and shape and orientation of the land required must be agreed with the Fire Authority. This information will be included in a Section 106 (s106) agreement.
Developments may not be large enough to require a new fire station, but are of sufficient size to trigger the need for a different site. This is because existing facilities cannot satisfactorily accommodate all the fire and rescue service requirements to service the development. In this case developers will be required to provide a fully serviced site for a new fire and rescue facility free of charge. A contribution to the construction costs for a new facility will be required in the capital cost models.
The matrix provided in Fire and Rescue cost outlines the fire and rescue service capital calculation of a s106 claim for development of new dwellings and non-residential buildings across Warwickshire. The fire and rescue service calculates its capital requirement to be £279 per new dwelling for residential developments and £12 per square metre for non-residential developments.
The calculations include capital contributions towards the provision of fire hydrants within any new development scheme. Whilst this capital contribution can be secured through a planning obligation, WFRS prefer that fire hydrants to be designed into the development at the masterplan stage and implemented through a planning condition. Provision of fire hydrants - more information.
Background documents
- The ‘Town & Country Planning Act’ 1990
- The Planning and Compensation Act 1991
- The Crime and Disorder Act 1998
- National Census – National Statistics Office