In 2024, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announced a proposal to relocate the crew and fire engine at Banstead Fire Station to Godstone Fire Station if an appropriate and affordable site in the optimum location of Whyteleafe was not available to buy. This was due to several reasons; the first being that building itself is also not fit for a modern fire and rescue service. It requires a more permanent contaminants management system, appropriate facilities and has no outdoors area for regular crew training (meaning they have to leave Banstead to do so). In addition to this, the fire station building, which is owned by Surrey Police, being sold.

Following two further searches by Surrey County Council’s Land and Property team (Surrey County Council is the Fire and Rescue Authority), no appropriate or affordable site has been found and therefore, the move will go ahead to Godstone.

This means that as of March 2027, the crew and equipment from Banstead will relocate to Godstone Fire Station.

Public safety remains SFRS’s priority and residents will continue to receive an emergency response that meets the services

performance standards. Banstead Fire Station will remain operational until March 2027.

Refurbishment works at Godstone Fire Station are due to commence soon, these will increase capacity for both equipment and crew numbers and ensure the station is modern, efficient and fit for purpose for crews to operate from.

For local residents, this change will not affect how you contact SFRS in an emergency – always dial 999. Calls will continue to be mobilised using the nearest appropriate fire engine to ensure the fastest and safest response. The Surrey-wide average 10 minute response time to critical incidents and target for 20 fire engines available in the day and 16 at night on average remain unchanged.