Lambeth Fire Station: search is on for alternative sites

LFEPA is currently examining options for the sale and redevelopment of the buildings it owns on Albert Embankment following its decision to end its deal with Native Land.

Lambeth Fire Station currently occupies the ground floor of the former London Fire Brigade headquarters on Albert Embankment and, under the Native Land deal, it was to be refurbished and retained on the site as part of the residential development of the upper floors of the building.

"A site search for an alternative location is currently being undertaken," wrote LFEPA finance director Sue Budden in a report for authority members published this week.

"Although it is unlikely that a suitable alternative site will be found, this could facilitate an unconditional sale of the site."

If the future of Lambeth Fire Station can be separated from the redevelopment of the former HQ building, LFEPA could avoid the need to follow a lengthy European Union procurement procedure when seeking a buyer for the Albert Embankment complex.

Ms Budden's report also reveals that LFEPA has taken on board criticism of its previous deal with Native Land whose ultimate owners were based in offshore jurisdictions.

She wrote: "Due to our duties of equality and fairness and current UK law, we will not be able to exclude bids containing offshore investors.

"However we will aim to encourage greater transparency from bidders in order to disclose as far as possible the major shareholders and investors in any new developer, whilst noting that this greater transparency may act as a disincentive to some bidders."