WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance revealed plans for its new base last week in displays in Melksham and Semington, as the charity looks for feedback from local people on the proposal.
The new £4million headquarters for the lifesaving helicopter will be in Semington behind Melksham Police Station. The charity is looking to bring together its offices and hangar when its current lease expires next year.
Head of operations Kevin Reed said, “It is very important for us to have feedback from the public to our design proposals for our new home at Outmarsh Farm. We would encourage people to look at our proposed plans and give us their views.”
Around half of the 12-acre site will be the final approach and take-off (FATO) area, and there will also be a new two-storey 1,500sqm. office block, a helipad and a car park.
The plans also show the charity’s commitment to the surrounding area with a tree-planting scheme and new community garden. It also proposes moving the bus gate to allow traffic to enter from the trading estate instead of Semington village.
There will be no-fly zones over Bowerhill and Semington, with suggested flight paths heading out to the south-east, west and south-west. From Semington the helicopter will be able to reach anywhere in Wiltshire in 11 minutes.
Comments are invited on the plans until Friday 24th June and feedback forms are available online at www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk
The charity’s move to the area has garnered the support of a number of local councils, including Wiltshire Council, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.
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