Plans to expand Ellesmere Fire Station and turn it into a community-used facility have been put in front of Shropshire Council.

The plans, which were submitted on Thursday, are to extend the station in Grange Road, and also re-model it to allow for space to be used for the creation of a lecture room that can be used by the community and provide more facilities for firefighters.

The proposal statement, prepared by Shrewsbury-based architects Baart Harries Newall, also states that road markings will re-applied to ensure safe access for appliances at the station, and that a Shropshire Fire and Rescue badge will be painted onto the building.

The statement said: "The proposal is to extend and refurbish the existing station that was built in the 1970s.

"To provide improved and up to-date facilities in the form of a lecture/training room, upgraded shower rooms, accessible WC, kitchen and office accommodation.

"An extension of 60m-squared to the front of the station is designed to provide suite of rooms: main lecture room, kitchen and DDA WC that can be let for community use while still maintaining security to the rest of the fire station.

"Approximately half of the extension is sited on the footprint of the existing watch room and covered store area.

"The new front elevation is designed to enhance the view of the existing station from the main road."

They added: "Ellesmere Fire Station is operated by a crew of on-call firefighters and is required for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The fire station is normally unoccupied with firefighters attending the station to collect an appliance and equipment before responding to emergencies.

"Station personnel attend site in evenings and at weekends for training or administrative activities."

The proposal also confirmed that a 'multi-stemmed, low quality' flowering cherry tree will be removed for the works, while a shrub adjacent to the cherry will also be removed.

The deadline for comments is Thursday, July 16 and can be found at pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QC6Q6WTDFKS00