Air ambulance base at New Shardelowes Farm, Fulbourn

What is proposed

The application proposes a new air ambulance base with operational, medical, training, accommodation, parking, drainage and landscaping facilities.

“There is a public right of way along Fleam Dyke. 3. Proposal 3.1 This full planning application seeks a new Cambridge Airbase for East Anglian Air Ambulance including a hangar, garage, crew facilities, offices, training facilities, FATO area (final approach and take off), sleeping accommodation and other associated infrastructure including landscaping, parking and drainage.”

“The development would comprise two primary buildings on the southern part of the site- the main building (hangar, garage, crew facilities, offices, and training facilities) and Z block (sleeping accommodation). It would also include ancillary structures such as substations, ground stores etc. in various positions around the site.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a 4.2-hectare Green Belt and countryside location outside Fulbourn, containing agricultural, commercial and residential buildings.

“Table 2 Consultee summary 2. Site description and context 2.1 New Shardelowes Farm is located to the north of Balsham Road, outside of the Fulbourn development framework and in the Green Belt and countryside. It measures approximately 4.2 hectares in area.”

“The site currently comprises eight buildings. The three buildings to the north of the site and the buildings to the south east of the site are agricultural buildings, the building to the east of the site is a commercial building, and the buildings to the west of the site are residential buildings and a farm office. The access off Balsham Road lies between the residential buildings and agricultural and commercial building.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council supported the amended application, and statutory consultees generally raised no objections, subject to conditions and mitigation.

“Area Guidelines Fulbourn Village Design Guide SPD (adopted January 2020) 7. Consultations Publicity Neighbour letters – Yes Site Notice – Yes Press Notice – Yes (major and departure) Fulbourn Parish Council - Supports the application, as amended. Recommends emergency lights to assist access onto the road which is very busy during peak times. Active England - No comments. Airport Safeguarding - No objections. Anglian Water - No objections, as amended.”

“Environmental Health (Contaminated Land) - No objections, as amended. Recommends a condition in relation to unexpected contamination and remediation if found during works. Fire Authority - No objections. Recommends a condition in relation to the provision of fire hydrants. Health Development Officer - No objections. Historic England - No comments. Landscape Officer - No objections, as amended. Recommends conditions in relation to landscaping and fencing.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the applicant’s representative, a parish council speaker and Councillor John Williams as local district member.

What members debated

Members discussed the service’s importance, Green Belt land, access, traffic, noise, location, trees, appearance, memorial garden and alternative sites.

“The Chair referred members to a written statement which the Senior Planner referred to in their verbal updated, which objected to the application. The written statement had been published on the council’s website in advance of the meeting and hardcopies of the statement had been made available to members at the meeting.”

“During debate the Committee considered the following issues: i. The application was for a very important service, and the committee supported the principle of development. ii. None of the statutory consultees had objected to the application. iii. The site contained land in the Green Belt but some of the site was previously developed land. iv.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee unanimously approved the application by eight votes, subject to amended conditions, additional requirements and a planning agreement.

“The Area Development Manager referred to the recommendation contained on p70 of the agenda and paragraph 30 of the officer’s report, to approve the application subject to: i. A Planning Agreement ii. Planning Conditions including the minor amendment to condition 8 p) so that is reads – External safety and information signage and notices during and post construction. iii. The amendments set out in the Amendment Sheet. iv.”

“By unanimous vote of 8, the Committee approved the application subject to: • The planning conditions set out in the officer’s report including the following additional conditions and amendments to conditions included in the Amendment Sheet: o Additional conditions i) No development shall take place above ground level, except for demolition, until details of the ancillary buildings (substation, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.”

Minutes