Lambeth Council has granted planning permission for the refurbishment of the former London Fire Brigade (LFB) headquarters at 8 Albert Embankment. LFB announced the decision on 6 October 2026. The Grade II listed site will combine headquarters offices, a modernised fire station and community uses.
What the permission covers
The project adapts the 1930s headquarters building and a later extension rather than replacing the site with a wholly new headquarters. Lambeth Fire Station is already part of the complex. The planning applications are 25/03222/FUL and 25/03223/LB; the council’s published proposal description covers restoration, conversion and a small rear extension.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The application also describes refurbished fire-station and office accommodation, replacement windows, re-cladding of an extension block, landscaping and public-realm work, plus access, parking, servicing and plant. Part of the ground floor is to become event and exhibition space. The approved drawings and conditions set the precise scope; the public announcement does not enumerate every condition.
How the site is intended to work
Fire and operational functions
LFB’s October 2025 application announcement described new equipment stores and workspaces, remodelled firefighter accommodation and investment in the training yard and drill tower. Appliance bays were designed to accommodate specialist vehicles. These details describe the proposal at submission; they should not be read as a complete schedule of the final approved drawings.
#1 Best Overall
- MORKBRIXX Retro Fire Station Builings Block Set - This building set features a retro streetscape design, with classic red brick walls, white window frames, decorative lines, and black roofs as the main colors. Combined with large arches, it perfectly restores the classic red brick architectural style of European and American fire stations in the 20th century, bringing you a strong sense of nostalgia and becoming a highlight of your architectural model kit collection
- Exquisite details: This adults building toy package features three independent interiors and an open design, making it easy to view and assemble. The first floor includes a fire garage, duty room, and equipment wall; The second floor is equipped with offices, meeting rooms, and rest areas; The third floor is the fitness area. It is also equipped with a retro fire truck building bricks with a movable ladder and lifting arm, allowing you to experience the daily life of firefighters firsthand
- LED Lighting System: This retro house set is equipped with a high-quality LED lighting system that emits a warm glow when lit at night, greatly enhancing the retro atmosphere and highlighting the details of the fire station. This fire station architectural set is perfect for collection and display, and can be used as a unique decoration for home or office, showcasing your taste as a building enthusiast
- High Quality Materials: MORKBRIXX toy building sets includes 1823 high-quality ABS building blocks, which are safe, smooth and free of burrs. The bricks are tightly connected and not easy to loosen or scatter. It is sturdy and durable, capable of withstanding long-term assembly and display, ensuring that your firetruck model building sets remains intact for a long time, bringing you a better assembly experience
- Perfect Gift Choice: This street view building toy has an exquisite collectible architectural shape. It can be used as an ornament when assembled. It has both fun and artistic beauty. It is especially suitable for street scene building set lovers, retro building collectors and fire-fighting theme collectors. Comes with an exquisite packaging box, an ideal gift for building brick lovers, suitable for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and festival gifts for adults
Headquarters and community uses
The 5plus design and access statement describes flexible, accessible office and operational functions, an entrance courtyard, and event and exhibition space incorporating elements of the LFB museum. LFB said the collection display area would support education and community outreach, with a community room for residents and local groups.
The October 2026 LFB announcement confirms permission for a refurbishment providing a fire station, office space and community spaces. Its update does not restate every element of the earlier proposal.
Rank #2
- These are hobby grade products securely packed for protection in shipping
- Please handle with care when removing from package or breakage could occur
Why LFB is returning to Albert Embankment
The building was constructed in the 1930s as a combined fire station and office block. The station occupies the ground and first floors; the upper offices served as LFB headquarters before the Brigade moved to Southwark in 2007/08. The dates differ between LFB and 5plus accounts, so the move is best described as occurring in that period rather than assigned a single year.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches5plus’s design statement says the Union Street lease ends in March 2027 and frames the project as a return of headquarters functions to the historic Lambeth site. LFB has also said it considered alternatives after the Secretary of State refused an earlier planning application in 2021. That refusal concerned a previous proposal, not the scheme now granted permission.
Rank #3
- Limited edition. Brand new box. Detailed exterior. True-to-scale detail. Officially licensed product. Easy to assemble, no glue required. Does not come with the trucks shown. Manufacturer's original unopened packaging. Diorama is made of pressed board with plastic parts. Dimensions approximately L-10, W-7, H-3.75 inches. Fits models like the 1:87 scale Squad 51 and Engine 51 fire truck models (sold separately).
What is known about the programme
- 17 September 2025: The Deputy Mayor for Fire authorised the London Fire Commissioner to commit capital expenditure to the headquarters project, station upgrade, community events space and interim headquarters accommodation. This was project spending authority, not planning permission.
- 28 October 2025: The planning application was validated.
- 6 October 2026: LFB announced that Lambeth Council had granted planning permission.
- Construction and completion: LFB’s current project page says construction activity is due to begin shortly and completion is due in 2029. These are programme expectations, not guaranteed dates.
LFB expects Lambeth Fire Station to close during winter 2026/27 while work is under way, but marks the timing “TBC.” Crews are expected to decant to Clapham and Chelsea fire stations. The closure and relocation dates therefore remain subject to confirmation.
Who is involved
5plus is the architectural designer, identified by LFB as the Stage 2 architectural designer. LFB’s October 2026 announcement also credits Turley with planning consultancy and Kanda with community and stakeholder engagement. The submitted design statement lists Pick Everard for project management and quantity surveying; BWB for structural, building services, sustainability and acoustic consultancy; Smith Jenkins for heritage; Design Fire Consultants for fire engineering; Buro Happold for security; Safer Sphere as principal designer/CDM; Paul Basham Associates for transport; and re-form for landscape. Those are roles named in the submitted statement, not a guarantee that every appointment or role is unchanged.
5plus lists the project at £100 million and 110,000 square feet, but its project page labels the status “Concept.” The figures are therefore the architect’s published listing, not a confirmed final approved cost or outturn budget.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What the approval means—and what it does not
The planning decision allows the current refurbishment proposal to proceed subject to its formal permission and conditions. It is a significant step for a listed public-service building, but it is not evidence that construction has already started, that every proposed feature is unchanged, or that the 2029 target is certain. LFB’s project update remains the clearest source for the current programme, while the council’s decision notice is the source for the detailed conditions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Perfect in any town or country setting
- N Scale Building Kit, Model Cement Required
- Illustrated instructions
- Structures Add Realism to Any Train Layout, Includes Detailed Decals
- Designed for easy construction, with plastic parts molded in realistic color. Additional Painting Optional.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
