There had been hopes Aintree Fire Station would be converted into new flats
Aintree Fire Station on Longmoor Lane(Image: Eddisons / Rightmove)
Amended plans have been submitted by a Liverpool care company to turn Merseyside’s oldest fire station into offices. In January this year, proposals were unveiled for the future of Aintree Fire Station on Longmoor Lane.
As Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) unveiled its new £40m super station on Long Lane, the 99-year-old site in Fazakerley was shut down last May. Past and present firefighters and their families bid a fond farewell to the site when it closed its doors for the final time.
MFRS sold the site to Best Care Liverpool Ltd who completed a deal in December 2023, they had sought to convert the site into offices and housing. Now, having had initial plans knocked back by Liverpool Council, the firm has gone back to the drawing board and submitted a new design for the historic site.
Documents released by the MFRS authority policy and resources committee confirmed an offer of £650,000 was made by Best Care. Eddisons estate agents were appointed to market and sell the fire station, with the listing published in September 2023.
Around 170 parties expressed an interest in taking on the station when its closure was first announced. A total of 44 parties took part, leading to 11 bids. The highest offer was unconditional and made by Best Care Liverpool Ltd.
Aintree Fire Station for sale on Longmoor Lane(Image: Eddisons / Rightmove)
According to its website, the firm is a “family owned company, originally established in September 2018 by qualified nurses.” With experience in domiciliary and home care, it provides services in Knowsley, Liverpool and St Helens.
In December last year, Liverpool Council rejected a proposal to convert the building, owing to concerns around a one way system and the possibility of errant parking along Longmoor Lane. A decision notice said: “The existing apron fronting Longmoor Lane has the potential to be used for informal parking due to its wide crossover and lack of physical barriers.
“This could lead to unsafe vehicle movements, including reversing into a busy highway and overrunning the footway, posing risks to pedestrian safety.” Best Care has now submitted a fresh proposal for the location ahead of its centenary.
Aintree Fire Station for sale on Longmoor Lane(Image: Eddisons / Rightmove)
The plans would transform the existing fire station provision to offices on the ground-floor and storage on the first floor, including the installation of a new access ramp to front of building and to widen existing vehicular access.
Rear gates to access Ritchie Avenue would be locked and not used.
The facade would be retained to allow the public to recognise its heritage as a former fire station, according to a new design and access statement. A date has yet to be set for the plans to be considered by the city council.