North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has published an Outline Business Case for Hwb Awen, a proposed new integrated training and development centre in St Asaph, marking a major step towards modernising how the Service trains and supports staff to protect communities across North Wales.

The Outline Business Case was approved today by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, enabling the Service to progress to the next phase of the project. Hwb Awen would bring together several ageing and geographically dispersed sites into a single, purpose-built hub designed to meet the demands of modern firefighting and emergency response.

Hwb Awen — a name chosen by staff — reflects the ambition behind the project. Hwb means a central point of energy and connection, while Awen, drawn from Welsh mythology, represents inspiration, creativity and transformation. Together, they symbolise a place for learning, leadership and excellence in public service.

The proposed St Asaph facility would include:

• a centralised training hub with classrooms, incident command facilities and welfare spaces
• realistic fire and road traffic collision training environments aligned to evolving operational risks
• specialist breathing apparatus and decontamination facilities
• overnight accommodation to support extended and specialist training
• centralised operational stores to improve readiness and efficiency
• a modern headquarters bringing leadership and Service teams together
• facilities designed to support inclusive working and multi-agency training

Justin Evans, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and strategic lead for the project, said:

“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.”

The need for change is driven by the condition and limitations of existing facilities, many of which are ageing, costly to maintain and no longer fit for modern operational, environmental or workforce standards.

The Outline Business Case identifies an estimated cost of £49.95 million, subject to further approval. The Service is seeking external funding for the construction phase, with detailed funding proposals set out in the business case.

If approved, Hwb Awen would:

• enhance firefighter safety and training quality
• improve operational readiness and coordination
• reduce travel and duplication across the estate
• strengthen collaboration with partner emergency services
• support sustainability and net zero ambitions in Wales

ACFO Evans added:

“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.”

The approval of the Outline Business Case marks a pivotal milestone for the project. The next steps will involve securing funding and developing the full business case required before construction can begin.