FULL planning permission has been granted for a new £5m airbase for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA).

The site will be developed at Outmarsh Farm, near Melksham, however the charity need another £1.25m to fund the project, so have launched an appeal.

The base will bring together the helicopter, aircrew and charity teams onto one site in a central location in Wiltshire.

David Philpott, chief executive of WAA, said the team were “delighted” that the plans for the new airbase have been granted by Wiltshire Council.

He said: “WAA has saved countless lives in the 26 years it has been operating and our new airbase will allow us to save many more lives in years to come.

“The site at Outmarsh Farm is perfect as it will allow our state-of-the-art helicopter to reach all parts of Wiltshire within 11 minutes, as it currently does now from its base in Devizes.”

Horse rider Suzanna Hext, 28, was airlifted by the air ambulance following a fall at Marston Meysey, near Cricklade, in July 2012 and suffered life-changing injuries.

Suzanna, who lives near Sherston, is now a volunteer with the WAA and competes at an advanced level in para and able-bodied dressage competitions.

She said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a vital service that we couldn’t do without, especially in rural locations such as where I had my horse riding accident.

“If they hadn’t got me to hospital quickly, the outcome could have been different.”

Some funding has already come in for the base, including £2.5m from a benefactor and £1m from the LIBOR fund.

Cheryl Johnson, head of the Airbase Appeal, said: “The response and support we have received towards our Airbase Appeal has been tremendous but we need to raise a total of £1.25 million to make our airbase a reality.

“We hope individuals, community groups, schools and businesses will get onboard and enable us to secure the future of our lifesaving service.”

To donate to the Airbase Appeal and find out how to get involved, visit wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk, email hello@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call the charity team on 01380 739453.

Construction work on the base is anticipated to start in Spring 2017.