The Essex Air Ambulance has been given the go-ahead to relocate to a village airfield.

The proposal by The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust to move its headquarters from Boreham to Earls Colne airfield was granted permission by Braintree Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

The plans aroused strong feelings of support and opposition, with 134 letters of support received and 32 letters of objection.

There were also two petitions backing the plans - one with 21 signatures and another with 156 - and one against with 49 signatures.

Supporters’ views included the air ambulance service being vital, helicopters becoming quieter, and having a life-saving technology close by.

But objectors’ concerns included noise disturbance and Earls Colne being an unsuitable location as it was not close to trauma hospitals.

The committee’s decision was welcomed by the air ambulance trust, who had spent more than three years gearing up for the move.

Jean Twin, who has been leading the relocation project for the trust, said the approval was a “fantastic result.”

The “Air Ambulance Centre” will include the charity office and helicopter airbase, as well as a helicopter viewing gallery and interactive visitors’ area.

There will also be educational visits, tours and a new shop.

A separate application by E Hobbs (Farms) Ltd for new aircraft hangars, new car park and new aircraft hardstanding at the airfield was also approved at the meeting.

The car park area and aircraft hardstanding were intended to serve the Anglian Flight Centre and the air ambulance.

For the full story see tomorrow's Halstead Gazette.