Green light for Hampshire Air Ambulance move to Southampton
Plans to relocate Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) to a new headquarters near Southampton Airport have been unanimously approved.
Eastleigh planning officials greenlit the plans last week, which include the installation of a purpose-built helipad, hangar doors and a refit to the interior of the site at George Curl Way.
The application also received input from Environmental Health, Southampton Airport, Civil Aviation Authority and Southampton City Council, among others.
371 comments were received, of which only four were objections – in addition to the 612 comments made prior to the application via public consultation.
The document prepared for Eastleigh Local Area Committee 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.”
HIOWAA’s clinical operations are currently based at Thruxton, Andover, on the northwest edge of the county – a considerable distance from the majority of its missions.
The move will put the charity in close proximity to more than 70 per cent of its callouts, allowing its teams to refuel, restock and be ready to respond to the next emergency far quicker.
Its new airbase is just 70 metres from the M27 and close to the M3.
Richard Corbett, CEO of HIOWAA, said: “We’re 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.”
HIOWAA will now begin making operational plans with key partners.
