Plans for new air ambulance headquarters near Southampton Airport approved
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance says moving would 'drastically improve response times'
Last updated 24th Jul 2024
The new home for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which will bring a “life-saving” service near Southampton Airport, has been unanimously approved.
Eastleigh councillors approved the plans requiring a purpose-built helipad, hangar doors and a refit to the building’s interior.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) identified a site near Southampton Airport, George Curl Way, to set up its new base.
The service is currently based across two locations at Thruxton, Andover, and the charity team in Southampton.
It said that moving to a more central location would improve response rates and travel time.
Southampton City Council raised concerns about noise in residential areas within its boundaries. However, after a noise assessment indicated “No Observed Adverse Effect” on Southampton residents, the council withdrew its objection.
HIOWAA said that a low-acoustic-footprint Airbus EC135T3, which claims to be the quietest aircraft of its type, will operate both during the day and at night.
After a public consultation in which more than 900 comments were received, of which only four were objections, and a planning application, Eastleigh Borough Council gave the green light for the project (July 23).
Councillor Tonia Park said the council is “saving lives” by approving the project.
Cllr Park said: “It is not very often this committee makes a decision that actually saves lives. The response time is 25 minutes from Thruxton to the south of the county. Those minutes are vital.”
Cllr Irish indicated that the location is “the right place” for the services and all Hampshire residents.
The new airbase will be 70 metres from the M27 and close to the M3. Connections from and to the Isle of Wight to land would also be improved as a result.
Richard Corbett, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CEO, said: “We are extremely pleased to have gained approval from Eastleigh Borough Council.
“We thank everyone who has provided input and feedback to our application, none more so than the swathe of people in our community who submitted overwhelmingly positive feedback not just for this relocation, but for our service as a whole.
“This move will undoubtedly allow us to save more lives, more regularly. Every decision we make as a charity is with the outcomes of our patients at its heart – and this move typifies that.”