FIRE chiefs are looking at the Jewson's site in Bellfield Road, High Wycombe, as a possible site for the town's new fire station.

But the problem is no one has told Jewson's about it and branch manager Ken Scott says the firm has no intention of moving.

There has been a builders' merchants on the site for at least 50 years, he says, and Jewson's owns the freehold.

He said: "We haven't any intention of moving unless we are forced to do so."

Jewson's is close to the CompAir/De la Rue sites, which form part of the Hughenden Quarter, a big area marked for development in Wycombe District Council's masterplan. The masterplan states that Jewson's should be moved.

Bucks Fire and Rescue Service is looking for somewhere to replace the current fire station in St Mary's Street, which is in an unsuitable position near the Abbey Way flyover in the town centre.

In addition, Wycombe District Council wants to develop the whole area round the current fire station. And Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC) has its eye on the area as a future arts quarter.

Talks have been going on for years between the fire service and council officers, about new fire station sites, though two possibles, in London Road and in the Desborough area, came to nothing.

Fire officers are now looking at the latest site to see whether it fits their needs.

Bucks Fire and Rescue property and assets director Laurie Wylie said finding anywhere in High Wycombe suitable for emergency services was difficult.

There were the hills, the lack of empty land and the fact that if there was land, developers wanted to put houses on it which pushed prices up.