Cleckheaton fire station closure plan 'chaotic'

Plans to rebuild a fire station which is now being considered for closure have been labelled "chaotic" by a councillor.

West Yorkshire Fire Service was looking at rebuilding Cleckheaton station but now it wants to shut the site as part of cost-cutting measures.

Under new plans, an annexe built at the service's Birkenshaw headquarters would replace the Hightown Road site.

Fire authority councillors said it was "disappointing" they had not been told.

Members were told at a fire authority meeting on Thursday that moving the station to Birkenshaw would save £2m of public money and would improve cover in some high risk areas.

A report into the plans said it would cost an extra £2.9m to rebuild it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: "In February we agreed to spend the money to rebuild Cleckheaton station and now we are deciding to change our minds."

She was told the existing site was too small to host many of the service's facilities and re-location was deemed the best solution.

She replied: "It all just seems a little bit chaotic to have all happened in four months'."

Councillor Ryk Downes said plans seemed to have changed "without any reference to members".

"It is disappointing. The public are already aware of this. It is a shame we didn't get the chance to see the options first."

Speaking after the meeting, chair of the fire authority Darren O'Donovan denied the process had been "chaotic" and said "proper legal procedure and due diligence" had been followed in making the proposals.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Nick Smith said: "We believe the proposal to relocate the fire station to our headquarters improves fire cover to the most vulnerable from fire as well as saving public money."

The proposals have been put out to public consultation with a decision expected to be made later in the year.