North Wales Fire and Rescue moves forward with £50m training centre proposal

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has taken a significant step towards overhauling how it trains and supports its workforce, with the publication of an Outline Business Case for a new integrated training and development centre in St Asaph.

The business case for the proposed facility, known as Hwb Awen, was approved today by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, allowing the Service to move into the next phase of the project.

If delivered, Hwb Awen would bring together a number of ageing and geographically spread sites into a single, purpose-built hub, designed to meet the demands of modern firefighting and emergency response across North Wales.

The name Hwb Awen was chosen by staff. Hwb translates as a central point of energy and connection, while Awen, rooted in Welsh mythology, represents inspiration and transformation – a reflection, the service says, of its ambitions for learning, leadership and operational excellence.

Plans for the St Asaph site include a centralised training hub with classrooms, incident command facilities and welfare spaces, alongside realistic fire and road traffic collision training environments that reflect evolving operational risks. The facility would also provide specialist breathing apparatus and decontamination areas, overnight accommodation for extended and specialist training and centralised operational stores to improve readiness and efficiency.

The proposal also includes a modern headquarters to bring leadership and service teams together, as well as facilities designed to support inclusive working and multi-agency training.

“This is about much more than a new building. It’s about creating a safe, modern and resilient base that supports our firefighters, strengthens leadership, and ensures we can continue to protect the people of North Wales in an increasingly complex risk environment.”

Justin Evans, Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

The Outline Business Case highlights the condition of the Service’s existing estate as a key driver for change, with many current facilities described as ageing, expensive to maintain and no longer fit for modern operational, environmental or workforce standards.

The estimated cost of the project is £49.95m, subject to further approvals. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is seeking external funding for the construction phase, with detailed funding proposals set out in the business case.

According to the Service, Hwb Awen would improve firefighter safety and training quality, enhance operational readiness and coordination, reduce travel and duplication across the estate, strengthen collaboration with partner emergency services, and support Wales’ sustainability and net zero ambitions.

“This is a long-term investment in our people and the communities we serve. The decisions we take now will shape how we train, lead and respond to emergencies for decades to come.”

Approval of the Outline Business Case marks a key milestone for the project. The next stage will focus on securing funding and developing a full business case before any construction work can begin.

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