Scarborough ambulance hub given go-ahead by councillors

Plans for a new Scarborough ambulance hub that will replace two old ambulance stations have been approved by the council.

The new site, to be located by Woodlands Drive adjacent to Scarborough Hospital, was given approval by Scarborough Council’s Planning and Development Committee.

At a meeting of the committee on Thursday, October 6, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans which will create facilities for the maintenance and preparation of ambulances based in Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington,

Kirkbymoorside, and Whitby.

The newly approved ambulance hub will be an allelectric building, avoiding the use of fossil fuels, and is “orientated and designed to maximise the benefits of naturaldaylightandventilation”.

At the committee meeting, some concerns were raised about the site’s location between Graham School and Woodlands Academy.

Cllr Bill Chatt, said: “I honestly think it is a sensible place to put this, I really do. But I just think there are problems with the schools.”

Cllr Roberta Swiers echoed Cllr Chatt’s comments, stating that ‘keep clear’ signs alone would not be enough to ensure road safety.

However, council officers said that following lengthy discussionbetweentheHighway Authority and the applicant, it was concluded that as ambulances would generally only depart at the beginning and end of shifts, traffic issues were unlikely to occur.

According to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, it has been searching for suitable sites in Scarborough for over two years.