Further development on the outskirts of Stone could help determine the future of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Pirehill headquarters, with the county’s fire commissioner questioning whether the site could eventually find itself “in the midst of a building site”.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams has confirmed that selling the headquarters is among a number of options being considered as he looks at the future of the service.
If Pirehill were sold, the site itself could potentially be used for housing or commercial development, while money from a sale could be used towards a new facility elsewhere in Staffordshire.
No decision has been taken and Mr Adams said any changes would be subject to consultation.
The proposals were revealed in a BBC report on Thursday 20 August, after Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee raised concerns about the potential sale and the possibility of outsourcing firefighter training.
Development around Pirehill
One of the reasons given by Mr Adams for considering the long term future of the headquarters was the prospect of significant development around Pirehill.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, he said
“Do we need a fire headquarters and a training centre in the midst of a building site? Will that limit access to the site?”
His comments raise wider questions about how further expansion on the outskirts of Stone could affect existing sites and infrastructure.
There has previously been interest in substantial development on land around Pirehill.
As part of Stafford Borough Council’s previous Local Plan process, a developer submission included proposals for commercial development around North Pirehill Farm, close to the fire service headquarters. Plans submitted at the time showed an initial phase totalling around 435,700 sq ft, together with land identified for possible future expansion.
However, those plans should not be taken as confirmation that development will happen.
Stafford Borough Council stopped work on its former Local Plan 2020 to 2040 in March 2025. A replacement Local Plan covering 2025 to 2045 is now being prepared and is still at an early stage, with its first consultation taking place this summer.
The council also continues to invite landowners and developers to submit sites that could be considered for future housing and employment development. Inclusion in that process does not mean a site will ultimately be allocated or developed.
Exactly which developments Mr Adams was referring to when discussing the future operation of Pirehill has not yet been made clear.
Sale could bring further development
There could also be a second development issue if Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service eventually leaves Pirehill.
Mr Adams told the BBC that selling the land for housing or commercial use could release money to help build a modern replacement facility elsewhere in Staffordshire.
The Pirehill site is Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters and includes its training facilities. The service officially lists the headquarters as being in Stone.
The Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit is also based at Pirehill. It supports multi agency emergency planning and can provide specialist support during major incidents across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Consideration of the future of the service was already under way earlier this year.
Minutes from the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting on 13 April record Mr Adams suggesting that members visit Pirehill so they could contribute to discussions about the “future modernising of the service” and potential efficiencies. A future report to the panel was also promised.
The fire service’s current capital programme includes £80,000 for replacement CCTV at Pirehill and £50,000 for design and feasibility work connected with facilities at the headquarters.
No decision taken
Mr Adams said he was drawing up options ahead of changes to the way Staffordshire’s fire service will be governed.
His Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner role is due to be abolished, and he said he wanted to leave future decision makers with a range of practical options.
He stressed that some of the ideas being considered may never be taken forward and said there would be consultation before any changes were made.
He hopes to decide which options to recommend by the end of 2026.
Adam Jogee has raised concerns about the possible impact of selling Pirehill and outsourcing firefighter training, including potential effects on jobs, specialist knowledge and firefighter safety.
The discussion relates to the Pirehill headquarters and training centre. Stone Community Fire Station is a separate facility at The Fillybrooks in Walton, and there is currently no suggestion that the town’s fire station is being considered for closure.
