Six of the eight fire stations originally earmarked for closure across Dorset and Wiltshire are now set to remain open following weeks of political pressure and public consultation.
In a major late development ahead of a final decision later this month, Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole has revised his professional advice to the Fire Authority, citing growing confidence in the service’s future funding position.
Under the new recommendations, only two stations – Hamworthy and Wilton – would be affected, with both set to merge with neighbouring stations on a 12-month trial basis. The remaining six, including Cranborne, Mere and Maiden Newton, would stay open and instead form part of a wider modernisation programme.
Cole said his change in position followed ‘positive discussions regarding future funding arrangements’ with government and officials, adding that he is now ‘sufficiently optimistic’ to move away from the original closure proposals.
Modernisation must come
However, the shift comes with a clear caveat. The revised plan depends on the service being granted greater flexibility to raise council tax precept from 2027/28, and on there being no further reductions in funding. Without that, Cole warned his advice would revert to the original closure proposals to address the budget deficit. ‘My view remains that doing nothing is not an option,’ he says. ‘The Government has been clear that additional funding flexibility must be accompanied by a credible programme of modernisation and reform.’
North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who has been closely involved throughout, welcomed the development and praised both ministers and the Chief Fire Officer.
‘I want to thank ministers, and Andy Cole, for really listening and for responding positively,’ he said.
‘I also want to thank all those who took part in the consultation process. Clearly, their submissions have made a significant difference.
‘But most important of all, this is very good news for our rural service delivery and for the protection of life and property in rural areas.’
The revised approach is designed to avoid compulsory redundancies while retaining frontline operational capacity, with the six saved stations now feeding into a broader review of how services are delivered.
That review – described as a ‘modernisation programme’ – will examine everything from crewing models and station locations to fleet, equipment and the on-call firefighter system, alongside wider investment in training, technology and safety.
The Fire Authority will make its final decision on 30th June, and the financial assumptions underpinning the revised plan remain subject to government agreement.
For now, the closures have been pulled back – but not completely off the table.
