A DERELICT 10-acre site in Bury is poised to be transformed into a state-of-the-art firefighting training centre and community hub.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has now submitted plans for the land in Wellington Street.

GMFRS has been working with Kier Northern and Paragon to design the centre and it is hoped the new site will be open in 2015.

Chief Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said: “We’re investing in the area now to make long-term savings and we’re confident that this investment will not only provide the very best in realistic, scenario-based training and development for our staff but also a fantastic community facility that local people can use to learn more about the dangers of fire and other incidents we attend.

“Having reduced fires by more than 40 per cent in the past eight years, it’s more important than ever for GMFRS to provide the very best facilities for firefighters to train for incidents to protect the public and themselves.

“Alongside this, the site will allow us to develop our prevention work by engaging with the community and businesses and encouraging people to learn how to protect themselves in a really new and exciting way.”

GMFRS intends to make use of existing features on the land and new elements will also be added to prepare crews for the types of incidents they are more likely to face in the future.

Additionally, a “fire street” will be created to include a variety of simulated detached and terraced homes and commercial buildings where firefighters can recreate incidents.

The community hub will feature an interactive and immersive learning area where schoolchildren can learn how to protect themselves.

There will be a simulated fire control room and visitors will have the chance to listen to a real 999 call.

Viewing areas will be created during the construction so the public can watch the development taking shape.