The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) need to move from their current base at the former Filton Airfield.
After looking at hundreds of sites in the West of England region, property consultants Alder King have concluded that a site near the Almondsbury Interchange is the only one that meets the needs of both helicopter services.
The proposed new site is on farmland close to the M4/M5 junction, just across the M5 motorway from the RAC building in north Bradley Stoke.
Alder King state that 90% of the site would remain as grass, with 10% providing a small area of hard standing, a hangar for the helicopters and a new access road.
Community consultation events were held in Almondsbury on 11th & 12th March 2015.
A formal planning application to South Gloucestershire Council is expected to be made soon.
Image: Outline plan of the site (click to enlarge).
If you would like to know more, contact the Filton Airfield community relations team on 0800 073 1047 or mail@filtonairfield.co.uk
More information and related links:
- Information leaflet: A new base for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity and National Police Air Service [PDF] (published in March 2015)
- Consultation starts for new helicopter base (Alder King, February 2015)
Planning application
PT15/1438/F | Received 7th April 2015; Approved 5th October 2015; Decision quashed 22nd December 2015; Approved 11th August 2016; Decision Notice issued 10th October 2016
Construction of new operations base for emergency helicopters (Great Western Air Ambulance and National Police Air Service), (Use Class Sui Generis), comprising hangar, grassed final approach and take off area, car parking and hardstanding area, met office weather station, new access road and construction of new access onto A 38 Gloucester Road, re-grading of land, landscaping and associated development.
- Report to the meeting of SGC’s Development Control (West) Committee on 11th August 2016
- Minutes of the meeting of SGC’s Development Control (West) Committee on 11th August 2016
Petitions and letters
- Protect Almondsbury Greenbelt from BAE (iPetitions)
- Almondsbury InTouch Special, May 2015 (Jack Lopresti)
Media reports
The Gazette | 15th December 2016
Emergency service’s air base plan in Almondsbury given all-clear for take-off
The Gazette | 19th August 2016
Residents consider legal action against Almondsbury helicopter base planning permission
The Gazette | 11th August 2016
Almondsbury helicopter base granted planning permission
Bradley Stoke Journal | 18th April 2016
Town council objects to Almondsbury helibase following pressure from residents
Bradley Stoke Journal | 2nd April 2016
Almondsbury helibase decision quashed
The Gazette | 25th February 2016
Residents issue vote of no confidence in South Gloucestershire Council planners over Almondsbury helicopter base
The Gazette | 10th December 2015
Almondsbury helicopter base could be blocked thanks to resident-backed judicial review
Bristol Post | 7th July 2015
Helicopter pad in South Gloucestershire for air ambulance and police given go ahead
BBC Bristol | 7th July 2015
Almondsbury green belt helicopter base wins backing
Bristol Post | 4th July 2015
Helicopter base at Almondsbury set to win planning approval
The Gazette | 26th June 2015
Inconsistencies over Almondsbury helicopter base plans anger residents
Bristol Post | 20th June 2015
Police counter concerns from Almondsbury residents about “essential” relocation of helicopter base
Bradley Stoke Journal | 18th June 2015
MP calls public meeting to discuss helicopter base planning application
The Gazette | 9th June 2015
MP calls public meeting to discuss Almondsbury helicopter base plans
Bradley Stoke Journal | 9th June 2015
Councillors demand noise barrier if new helicopter base approved
Bradley Stoke Journal | 19th May 2015
Parish and town councils to discuss Almondsbury Interchange helicopter base plans
The Gazette | 20th May 2015
Parish council objects to plans for Almondsbury helicopter base
BBC Bristol | 18th May 2015
Almondsbury helicopter base plan sparks noise objections
The Gazette | 14th May 2015
Dozens of letters of objection received to plans to build helicopter base in Almondsbury
The Gazette | 16th April 2015
Helicopter base near Almondsbury will ‘distract motorists’
Bradley Stoke Journal | 13th April 2015
Plan for new helicopter base near Almondsbury Interchange