We're investing in an innovative training and development centre in St Asaph. Hwb Awen will bring aging training sites together into a single, modern hub in a central location. This will help increase our capacity for specialist, multi-agency, and operational training.
This purpose-built facility will shape how we train, work, and protect communities for decades to come. It will be a catalyst for collaboration, inclusive development, and excellence in public safety. Hwb Awen will support us to become a progressive, agile, and resilient organisation ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
There is an increasing risk that our current facilities will no longer meet the scale, realism, or standards needed to make the service fit-for-the-future. If we do not act now, we risk a lower training quality being less prepared to protect the public. We’ve already experienced issues with Dolgellau as a training facility due to flooding and because the residential capacity is insufficient for our needs.
Hwb Awen will:
- Help us train staff to meet current and future risks
- Replace ageing training sites and improve long-term reliability
- Provide a modern environment that supports people and wellbeing
- Improve collaboration with partners and communities
- Deliver training more efficiently and consistently
- Reduce duplication and create efficiencies across the Service
It is more than a building, it is a once-in-a-generation investment in our people, our performance, and the safety of the public.
After detailed design and scoping, the estimated construction cost is £49.95m.
Internal funding will be utilised up to the construction phase. External funding from Welsh Government is being sought for the remaining costs. A full funding case is presented within the Outline Business Case. If this cannot be secured, funding options will be revisited as part of the Full Business Case.
St Asaph provides central regional access, strong transport links, suitable development land, and operational alignment with partner services, making it the most strategic location. We engaged external consultants to analyse travel times to various potential sites across North Wales.
The analysis demonstrated that St Asaph was the most accessible location in terms of journey time for most of the region. 72% or appliances can reach area in 50 mins.This was a key factor in identifying St Asaph as the preferred location for the new training and development centre.
Hwb Awen will enable realistic, high-value training scenarios and modern simulation, creating capability for specialist disciplines such as hazardous materials, road traffic collision response, and breathing apparatus training. This will increase firefighter competence, support partner training, and improve preparedness. In the long term, the centre will strengthen firefighter safety and enhance emergency response outcomes for the public.
- 2023 – Jul 2024: Research & Options Appraisal- Assessed future training needs, identified gaps, and explored modernization opportunities.
- Oct 2023 – Jul 2024: Land Purchase- Fire Authority approved and secured a site for the new facility.
- Apr – Oct 2024: Strategic Business Case & Funding- Prepared initial business case; provisional funding approved for long-term investment.
- From Nov 2024: Mobilisation & Early Site Works- Site preparation, fencing, ecological works, and environmental licenses granted.
- From May 2025: Design & Development- Perfect Circle appointed as Principal Designer; detailed plans developed with stakeholder input.
- Sept – Dec 2025: Procurement & Staff Engagement- Contractor procurement; outline business case submitted for external funding; staff engagement ongoing.
- Early 2026: Consultation & Site Works- Public and stakeholder consultations. Ecological mitigation and site work will continue.
- Mid 2026 – Feb 2027: Planning Process- Pre-planning consultation (Jul–Aug); planning application submitted (Oct); consent targeted for Feb 2027.
- Jun 2027 – 2029: Construction & Opening- Build facility, install specialist training infrastructure, complete fit-out and landscaping, commission systems.
The project will deliver significant public benefit by improving emergency response capability and firefighter safety. It will also support skills development, workforce resilience, and regional economic growth.
Once up and running, Hwb Awen will also offer enhanced realism and specialist facilities to increase competence and support partner training, strengthening long-term operational preparedness.
The project will comply fully with environmental regulations and duty of care responsibilities. Ecological mitigation measures are already in place, and environmental licenses have been granted to ensure wildlife protection during site works.
Hwb Awen will meet Wales and UK sustainability expectations and align with Net Zero commitments. Compliance with statutory requirements will be demonstrated throughout the project.
We’re seeking Welsh Government capital funding for Hwb Awen. Capital funding can’t be used for salaries, recruitment or day-to-day staffing. Staff cost is funded separately through our operational budget, which continues to support emergency cover across North Wales.
Hwb Awen will increase our capacity to train and recruit by providing modern, fit for purpose facilities. Without proper training facilities, we simply couldn’t train our firefighters in the first place.
The name ‘Hwb Awen’ was shortlisted from staff suggestions and selected through a staff vote.
- Hwb represents a central place of energy and connection
- Awen symbolises inspiration, creativity, and transformation
Together, they reflect a place where people learn, grow, and are inspired to deliver the best possible service to the public.