MD1464 Disposal of the former fire station sites at Bow and Silvertown

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) is currently overseeing the sale of nine of its former fire station sites at Belsize, Bow, Clerkenwell, Downham, Kingsland, Silvertown, Southwark, Westminster and Woolwich. The fire stations were closed on 9 January 2014 in accordance with the Fifth London Safety Plan 2013 – 2016 (LSP5). The Mayor is committed to supporting new school developments in London by identifying sites and targeting areas of local need. The Bow and Silvertown former fire station sites would be ideal for the establishment of new schools and in order to facilitate this, a direction should be issued to LFEPA that it disposes of the Bow and Silvertown fire station sites to the Secretary of State via the Education Funding Agency (EFA). In order to provide reassurance to LFEPA, and as a result of the direction, a letter of comfort will be provided to LFEPA by the Mayor confirming that the Greater London Authority (GLA) will increase LFEPA’s funding if legal proceedings are issued.