Sandyford Firestation Road Map Overview

Whilst googling Sandyford Fire station I came across this document. http://www.planning.stoke.gov.uk/Documents/1995_19.pdf

Location:
Though this new site is one of the largest sites, it also has the most dramatic differences in level. We have used this to help the separation of operational areas and visitors/community areas.

The site analysis plan below sets out the key issues identified in the immediate area.

Through dialog with the planning department it became evident that the response flow required to lead directly out on to Reginald Mitchell Way, with the returns and staff/visitor parking via the new access road Marlborough Way. After obtaining critical level information we looked at Options of where to place the building. The site appraisals lead to the option of sinking the building into the landscape and positively use this to create:-
• A visible building that related positively to the main highway.
• A building that is part of the landscape rather than a “cherry on” top of a landscaped frontage.
• safe split of operational areas and community areas
• real life training areas
• accessible buildings

The site is currently vacant but has a long mining history. The site is part of a long term redevelopment with Focus DIY being one of the earliest to emerge. A second industrial style building has now been erected to the north of Marlborough Way. The housing to the south of Reginald Mitchell Way is typical of 1980-90 out of town new housing styles.

Flood risk
As part of the out line planning application a full Flood Risk Assessment was undertaken and accepted under the approval notice.

Highways issues

As part of the out line planning application highway works beyond the boundary were submitted and accepted under condition numbers 8 and 9. During the detailed design period with the planning/Highways and the Fire Authorities the solution has been redesigned from a single entry road in one direction east up Reginald Mitchell way to a solution that will allow two directional response both up and down the carriageway. During the Pre application meetings it was agreed that this works would be dealt with under a Section 278 Agreement. The issue of access along the currently unadopted Marlborough Way and any works to this road way will be dealt with both
with the current owners and the highways department to enable works to be adopted as and when legal issues have been resolved by all parties.

Community
The fire authorities have traditionally been focused on responding to incidents and protecting the community through building legislation. The new initiative for the Fire Authorities is to be proactive with in the immediate community to prevent fires and other rescue procedures. To this end the welcoming glazed entrance and community rooms will encourage use and therefore will allow integration and displays of current literature.

The most significant future trends that will shape strategies of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue services will be:

• An ageing population, with a growth in pensioner households leading to potentially
greater fire risks.
The growth of single person households with greater fire risks amongst older live alone men.
• A continuation of the present percentage of single parent households and their
susceptibility to fire dangers.
• An increase in the number of single pensioner households prone to fire hazard
• Continuing socio-economic deprivation in parts of the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation sustaining the present propensity for malicious fire incidents and false alarms
• A decline in manufacturing facilities will act to reduce the propensity for large scale, life threatening industrial incidents.
• The growth of warehousing and distribution facilities often containing high technology electronic and other high value products and services and contributing to growth in road traffic activity.
• Potentially recruitment problems arising from the persistence of a male dominated culture within the service that mitigates against the recruitment of women employees. This will operate against the strategic objective of ensuring diversity among staff that reflects that of the county of Staffordshire.
• Clusters of British ethnic minorities within the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation and East Staffordshire will require the continuing implementation of culturally sensitive fire prevention strategies.
• An increase in education levels among potential recruits leading them to expect rapid career progression and coherent personal development plans.
• Future problems associated with recruiting retained staff through increasing obesity and health problems among younger people, the decline of physical occupations. This will be exacerbated by the high rewards of skilled manual workers - especially those who are self-employed
• And a general decline in national community spirit.