Proposals to bring Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s life-saving crew and charity staff under one roof near Southampton Airport, which will result in a quicker response time to the Isle of Wight, were unanimously approved by Eastleigh planning officials yesterday (Tuesday). The charity is currently based at Thruxton in Andover, on the north-west edge of the county – a considerable distance from the majority of its missions. The move will put them at the heart of 70% of call-outs, allowing the teams to be refuelled, restocked and ready to respond to the next emergency call-out far quicker than from its current base. As well as cutting flight times, the new airbase is just 70m from the M27, and close to the M3, which will improve response times for the charity’s vehicle fleet. The application was recommended for approval by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee, with input from Environmental Health, Southampton Airport, Civil Aviation Authority and Southampton City Council, among others. 371 comments were received, of which only 4 were objections, to the council’s planning portal – in addition to the 612 comments made prior to the application via public consultation. 
Richard Corbett, CEO of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, has said:
“We are 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.”
The air ambulance now has several next steps, including agreeing operational plans with key partners. The site will require a purpose-built helipad, hangar doors and a refit to the building’s interior.
Well done good news for everyone many people will benefit from this move.
I can’t believe 4 people objected to a helicopter at an airport, what sad people.
Probably the same people who complained when the helicopter flew low into Q A Hospital a year or so ago with a critically ill patient on board.
Much needed for Island patients, St Mary’s on the island
only offer a limited service for Islanders.
it’s needed looking at your driving over there