Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has officially begun construction on its new Northern Air Support Unit facility at Skipton Bridge, near Thirsk.
The purpose-built base will provide a permanent home for one of the charity’s helicopters and crews, reflecting the high standards already established at YAA’s Southern Air Support Unit at Nostell near Wakefield.
The new facility will include a clinical planning room, advanced training and simulation suite, crew accommodation, wellbeing zones and modern meeting spaces. It has also been designed with energy efficiency in mind, securing the long-term future of the service in North Yorkshire and beyond.
Planning permission for the project was granted by North Yorkshire Council in July.
Mike Harrop, chairman of YAA, said: “Breaking ground on this project is a huge milestone for YAA. We have been working towards this for many years and at times weren’t sure we’d ever get to this stage.
“This new base will secure our long-term future in the northern part of the region and everyone in Yorkshire will benefit.”
Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake joined staff and supporters at the ground-breaking ceremony.
He said: “I’m delighted that Yorkshire Air Ambulance has found a permanent home for its Northern Air Support Unit at Skipton Bridge. Just about everyone I know has had friends or family who’ve benefited from this incredible service.
“The new facility secures a long-term future for YAA in our part of Yorkshire and even greater support for communities across the north of the region.”
The £9 million project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, alongside pre-planned savings, grant funding, philanthropic donations and private contributions.
Rebecca Bletcher, chair of The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the establishment of a permanent base to underpin this vital service. The expertise, speed and care provided by YAA has saved countless lives, and this new facility will help make the work of its dedicated staff a little easier.”
Ripley-based HACS Construction has been appointed as the lead contractor, with Leeds-based Group Ginger as architects and RLB’s Leeds office acting as project managers.
The building work is expected to take around 45 weeks, with an internal fit-out to follow. YAA aims to be fully operational from the new base by autumn 2026.
Be the first to comment