HEREFORD’S new fire station won’t be built on the Bath Street site of the city’s former working boys home.

 Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service (HWFRS) has confirmed that the application for the new station – and related demolition works – has been withdrawn.

But a new fire station elsewhere “in the heart of Hereford” is still to be considered.

HWFRS says the withdrawal from Bath Street is a response to “extensive consultation” with the “wider community”.

Herefordshire Council had originally identified the site – which it has vacated as offices - as a suitable location for a new fire station and agreed a swap deal with HWFRS.

In return, the council would have received the site of the city’s current fire station for redevelopment.

 A response from council is expected later this morning.

Confirming the withdrawal, HWFRS stressed that the need for a new fire station in the city had not gone away, with the current station unsuited to present - and projected future - operation.

City heritage campaigners have been fighting to save the Working Boys Home since the Hereford Times revealed the deal earlier this year.

Founded in 1875, the Hereford and District Working Boys’ Home and Industrial School was supported by city benefactor John Venn.

English Heritage, however, rejected an application to list the site.

With the deal signed off by a single council cabinet member behind closed doors, HWFRS  submitted a planning application in August.

 The service has recognized “significant concerns” were raised by a number of groups relating to the place of the development within the city’s conservation area.

HWFRS chief Mark Yates said: “Having carefully considered the concerns raised during the public consultation process, the Service intends to withdraw its planning application for a new fire station in Bath Street at this present time with a view to considering how best to respond to the concerns.”

The Service, however, remained committed to building a new fire station “in the heart of Hereford” with further options to be considered, he said.