Plans for Eastleigh Air Ambulance HQ set for approval

Proposals for the new site, complete with a new helipad near Southampton Airport, could be given the green light next week. 

The application, which is recommended for approval, would see Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance move into an industrial unit on George Curl Way, Eastleigh.

The charity is currently based at Thruxton in North West Hampshire - but says a change in location is needed due to it using more emergency response vehicles to attend urban areas. 

But Southampton City Council has objected to the scheme over noise concerns as it says homes in the city would likely be in the flight path of the emergency aircraft.

Plans for new air ambulance HQ in Eastleigh (Image: HIOWAA/Eastleigh planning portal)

If given the go-ahead, the new HQ would include offices and a helipad in the area currently used as a car park.

The site sits adjacent to the airport runway and would be accessed from the existing entrance on George Curl Way.

It is within 70 metres of the M27, which a council report states is one of the key reasons the air ambulance charity chose the location. 

In the document prepared for an Eastleigh Local Area Committee on Tuesday next week, it states: "Overall, the scheme provides a life-saving service to the borough and beyond in a far superior location than its existing HQ north of the county.

"This is a great planning benefit that weighs heavily in favour of permission."

The number of parking spaces would be reduced from 151 spaces to 111 spaces though this is thought to be sufficient for the amount of staff on-site. 

Overall the scheme has received 371 comments during the consultation with four objections.

Those in support said the scheme would be "beneficial to the area" adding that the service would become more efficient, benefit the community and will "help save lives". 

But those objecting said the plans would increase the risk of an accident with an aircraft, adding that existing aircraft do not fly so low and are not as disturbing. 

Southampton City Council added that a noise assessment completed for the application doesn't consider homes in the city. 

It said: "The Noise Impact Assessment does not consider any residential areas within the Southampton City Council area, although the nearest residential properties are located in Southampton City Council’s area.

"We would recommend that a complaints procedure is put in place for the closest residential area, so that in the event of complaints future flight will be directed to avoid the complainant’s property if this is a viable option’.

"As the helicopter may need to go in any direction after takeoff there is a large likelihood that the helicopters will fly over SCC residents at times."

But in the application, Hampshire Air Ambulance says the move "would provide many major benefits to the borough and the wider area encompassing the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 

"The charity would also significantly benefit from having both the administrative and clinical teams in the same location."

The application is recommended for approval with a number of conditions including that the work will be started in the next three years.