RAF Cosford expansion to fit bigger air ambulance

Midlands Air Ambulance applied to Shropshire Council to be able to make changes to the hangar that acts as its base at RAF Cosford.

The new changes will make way for its larger helicopter, due to join the fleet next year.

The works will include new concertina hangar doors and associated alterations to the front of the hangar to make it suitable for the larger emergency response helicopter.

New metal framed double glazed windows will also be put in to replace the existing single glazed timber framed windows. The outside of the hangar will be redecorated.

It currently provides hangar space for the rescue helicopter, plus ground floor workshop, office, welfare facilities and first floor storage to help with the running of the service.

In January, it was announced that the Midlands Air Ambulance would buy a new helicopter following a £1 million grant.

It was ordering the new craft after it was announced the charity would be given the money by the Government from fines imposed on banks for fixing Libor rates. The upgraded H145 helicopter will cost, in total, approximately £7m.

The charity currently owns one EC135 helicopter, based at RAF Cosford in Shropshire and leases two further EC135 models from Babcock Mission Critical Services, based at Tatenhill airfield in Staffordshire and Strensham Services on the M5 in Worcestershire.

The charity has made the decision to buy a larger helicopter and lease only one in future to enable it to develop its clinical and operational service in pre-hospital patient care. It is hoped that this will reduce operating costs, making the charity more sustainable. The new helicopter will have a larger interior so young patients can be flown accompanied by a parent or the elderly with a carer or spouse, and will enable improved medical equipment to be carried on board to treat more complex emergencies, the charity said.

Becky Steele, air operations manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “The plans for the hangar at the RAF Cosford airbase are to incorporate modifications and essential upgrades to the existing building to enable us to take delivery of our new aircraft which will be arriving early 2018.

“The plans will enhance our service by enabling us to take delivery of the new larger type aircraft which will be incorporated into our fleet of three.“The new bigger aircraft will allow us to fly further distances before needing to refuel, and increase internal capacity to support advancements in clinical care and responses to large scale incidents.”

Hanna Sebright, chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said the helicopter would be built over 18 months and would become operational in 2018.

Permission for the scheme was granted on August 1.

In a report by officers, it says: “The proposed alterations to the existing building would be in keeping with the setting on this active airfield and would not be harmful to the visual amenities of the area.

“The proposals would facilitate the continued operation of the Midlands Air Ambulance Service which is valued by the community.