The planning application for a brand-new fire station in Kettering is now live and, if approved, would deliver modern and fit-for-purpose facilities for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s firefighters.
Submitted for decision to North Northamptonshire Council, the application outlines plans for a purpose-built station on Cherry Hall Road, located next to the joint Fire and Police Northern Accommodation Building and Weekley Woods Justice Centre.
The planning application says that there will be a purpose-built fire station, a 203-square-metre storage building, and a four-storey fire training tower—designed to support both operational readiness and firefighter development.
If permission is granted, this new facility would replace the current station on the Headlands, which has been in use since 1955. While the existing site has served the community for many years, it no longer meets the demands of modern firefighting. Access and parking challenges at the Headlands can delay emergency response, and the building itself falls short of current standards for working conditions and crew welfare.
As stated on the planning submission, the new station would offer improved access to major routes, helping crews respond more quickly and efficiently. It would feature a larger bay with more space for fire engines, upgraded welfare facilities including toilets, showers and changing rooms, and eight individual dormitories to support privacy and dignity for a diverse workforce. The proposed layout has also been designed to safely manage equipment exposed to contaminants, in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) best practice.
Located on land owned by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, the planned project reflects ongoing investment in the fire estate across Northamptonshire and is part of a wider strategy to ensure that fire service facilities across the county meet the evolving needs of the workforce and the communities they serve.
While the planning application progresses, wholetime and on-call crews continue to operate from the current station as usual.
The live planning application for the new Kettering fire station can be viewed on the North Northamptonshire Council planning portal under reference number: 25/00807/FUL.
