Forest Gate Police Station Roof to Be Rebuilt After Devastating Fire
Plans to rebuild Forest Gate Police Station’s roof in East London have been unveiled more than a year after a major fire gutted the building. The Met Police have submitted fresh designs aiming to bring the station back to full operational use after it’s been out of action since the blaze on June 1, 2024.
Fire Left Station in Ruins
The fire left Forest Gate Police Station a shell, forcing policing teams to relocate to temporary units in Stratford. Since the disaster, the building has been wrapped in scaffolding and completely unused. A planning report from Knight Frank, submitted on behalf of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), confirms the station will remain closed until the roof is fully rebuilt.
New Roof and Expansions Planned
The approved plans reveal a modern makeover. The new roof will match the original height but feature a sleek standing seam aluminium finish. New windows will brighten up the upper floors and boost usability.
The redevelopment includes:
- A three-storey extension
- Increased car parking from 62 to 74 spaces
- A new pedestrian crossing on Green Street
- A substation and switch rooms
- 50 additional cycle parking spaces with better access for all users
Local Community Weighs In
Newham Council’s Local Development Committee will review the plans on June 23. Out of 161 nearby properties consulted, only two responses were received — one supportive and one neutral. Some residents raised concerns over lighting and potential light pollution.
Council officers assured that any future lighting would require approval and be designed to minimise disturbance to local homes.
High Standards and Future Policing Boost
Planning officers praised the proposals as “sufficiently high architectural standard” and have recommended approval. Once completed, Forest Gate Police Station will restore vital local policing capacity to East London, helping to strengthen emergency services after the disruption caused by last year’s fire.
This rebuild marks a key step forward in revitalising policing infrastructure across the area.
