Air ambulance charity reveals plans for new base

A new £14m air ambulance base could be built on farmland in Leicestershire, if planning permission is approved.

The Air Ambulance Service charity has been operating from its current base for more than 23 years, but with Coventry Airport due to become a centre for battery production, a new location had to be found.

Now, the charity has confirmed it will apply for permission to create a purpose-built base in Catthorpe, which would house two helicopters and two critical care cars.

It is hoped the new site is in a better location, allowing doctors to travel across the region more quickly.

The charity said the new airbase would include two helipads, a hangar, welfare facilities for crew members including bedrooms, rest areas and a gym, training facilities and incident simulation rooms.

Chris Bailey, associate director of The Air Ambulance Service, said: "The charity has undertaken a four-year project to find a location for a new air base.

"This field is geographically suited for the whole region and will provide an absolutely essential place for our critical services."

The charity operates two teams, one of which responds to emergencies across Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

The second is a dedicated helicopter transfer service that has taken more than 1,200 critically ill babies and children to hospitals across the UK where they can receive the best care.

Two helicopters will be based at the centre and will be split between the two services.

There will also be two rapid response cars that will take doctors to incidents at night, when the helicopters cannot fly.

The charity, which went to 3,779 callouts in 2024, said that access to the M1, M6 and A14 from the proposed new location would benefit the service and its patients.

If approved, the centre will also include space for families who have lost relatives or those who have survived their injuries.

People who have been affected often want to meet the crews who saved their lives or who were present when loved ones died.

Justine Alexander, clinical liaison officer at the charity, said: "Currently at Coventry we don't have a facility for our patients and families.

"When we move to Catthorpe there's going to be a designated family and visitors' room which is going to be safe, warm and welcoming."

The airspace at Coventry Airport is due to close in June this year, but The Air Ambulance Service is being given permission to continue operating from there until the new base is developed.

The charity is to use some reserve savings for the new project, but it is also starting a public appeal to raise further funds to reach the estimated cost of £14m.

Planning papers are yet to be submitted, but the charity hopes to begin operating from the new location during 2027.

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