Ingleton Wood helps revitalise St Neots Fire Station

Ingleton Wood are proud to have played a key role in the transformation of St Neots Fire Station, a £2 million refurbishment project commissioned by the Cambridge Fire and Rescue Service.

Designed to modernise, optimise, and futureproof the existing facility, the project integrates essential upgrades and sustainability measures to support the growing operational needs of both its firefighters and the wider community.

Completed in the summer of 2025, the refurbishment project redefines how the station operates and helps ensure it remains an effective community asset for years to come.

Project scope

The project scope includes the extension and reconfiguration of the existing station to better serve the needs of both the crew and the wider community. The reconfigured site now features:

A full-scale internal gym designed to enhance crew morale and support their physical and mental wellbeing.
Optimised workspaces to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Conversion of the existing staff room into a flexible, multi-purpose space that enables the station to host local events and deepen ties with the community.
Redesigned to support the critical work of the fire crew and their ability to respond efficiently to emergencies, the station is now fully equipped to accommodate a 24-hour workforce, with capacity for up to 15 on-call staff during peak periods, ensuring round-the-clock responsiveness.

Ingleton Wood’s multidisciplinary expertise

The project underscores Ingleton Wood’s ability to deliver comprehensive multidisciplinary services, tailored to complex public sector schemes.

Our involvement in this development spanned the full project lifecycle, and included:

Architectural expertise: reimagining the station’s internal layout to support modern operational needs and improved functionality.
Project management and contract administration: Coordinating stakeholders and ensuring smooth, on-time project delivery.
Mechanical and electrical engineering: Integrating sustainable systems, such as air source heat pumps, Photovoltaic (PV) panels, and EV (Electric Vehicle) charging infrastructure, to reduce the station’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.

A provision for a backup generator was also installed to ensure an additional secure power source. These measures collectively align with the fire service’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
Civil and structural engineering: Designing robust structural solutions to support the extended facility while accommodating its increased capacity.
Planning consultation: Navigating complex planning requirements and addressing contamination risks through detailed ground investigations.
Quantity surveying: Careful budget management and procurement support to deliver maximum value for the client.

Simon Chesworth, Associate Project Manager at Ingleton Wood, commented:

“Delivering a major refurbishment on a live emergency site is never without its challenges, but thanks to close coordination with Neville Special Projects, we developed a carefully phased approach that kept the station fully operational throughout. Service and response times were never compromised, and it was a credit to everyone involved.”

Looking ahead

The St Neots Fire Station transformation is a testament to how thoughtful design and engineering can positively impact not only its users but also the broader community it serves.

Ingleton Wood remains committed to delivering facilities that embody innovation, community engagement, and sustainability.

Client feedback

Ryan Forman, of the Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service, commented;

“The refurbishment of St Neots Fire Station has been an outstanding success and a landmark project for Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The project team at Ingleton Wood delivered a modern and high-performing facility that fully supports the operational needs of our firefighters while reflecting our commitment to sustainability, safe working practices with controls to manage contaminants and the community we serve.

Crucially, all works were delivered while the station remained fully operational, maintaining the services emergency response – a testament to the careful planning, collaboration and professionalism shown throughout.

The result is a future-ready fire station that sets a new benchmark for our estate and the community we serve, and we are extremely proud of what has been achieved.”

Image credit: Neville Trust