Air ambulance relocation gets go-ahead for take-off

The air ambulance is set to move out of the Weald, ending a 25-year connection with the area, after plans to relocate to Rochester Airport were approved.

The planning permission to move the charity’s base was approved by Medway Council in mid-June, but celebrations were put on hold after an objector called for the government to intervene in the decision over concerns about noise, traffic, safety and pollution, as well as the lack of an environmental impact assessment.

It meant an agonising wait to hear whether Secretary of State, Sajid Javid would call in the plans – taking the decision out of the local authority’s hands.

But last week Medway Council received confirmation the plea had been rejected.

Writing on behalf of Mr Javid, senior planning manager Mike Hale responded: “The Secretary of State has decided, having had regard to this policy, not to call in this application. He is content that it should be determined by the local planning authority.”

Adrian Bell, chief executive Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust (KSSAAT), said: “I am absolutely delighted the planning application for our new offices at Rochester Airport has been approved.

“The combination of a service hub at Redhill Aerodrome, and forward operating base at Rochester, will allow us to deploy and maintain our new aircraft in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way to best support our patients where and when they might need us.”

Eleven people objected to the relocation plans, compared to 235 letters in support. The charity will look to start work on building a new office, which will house up to 60 staff from the air ambulance trust’s management, administration and fundraising teams, as well as visiting pilots. It was hoped the work would be complete by the autumn, when the trust takes delivery of new, larger helicopters which had outgrown the helipad at Pattenden Lane in Marden.