Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) has taken possession of its brand-new purpose-built airbase at North Weald Airfield in Essex following its completion by Barnes.
Project managed by quantity surveyors Castons and designed by architects Hurley Porte and Duell and structural engineer specialists Superstructures, Barnes started work on the new airbase in February 2020. It was delivered on time despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a socially distanced handover, carried out via a video link to comply with the current lockdown restrictions on non-essential travel, EHAAT CEO Jane Gurney and Cliff Gale, EHAAT’s Operations Director took possession of the building from Mark Hart.
Jane Gurney said: “The handing over of this building today marks another milestone in this important project for the Charity. I would like to thank the construction team for all their hard work and support in seeing this project through to completion in such a professional manner, especially with the added pressures the pandemic presented.
In addition to housing one of EHAAT’s two helicopters and two of its rapid response vehicles, the new building has areas for training, mentoring, patient liaison and fundraising. There is space for cross training with other emergency services and a dedicated interactive visitor centre which will allow the charity to welcome and engage with the local community.
The building has been designed with 'green’ issues very much to the fore and includes charging points for electric cars and photovoltaic panels on the roof which will generate electricity.
Visit
North Weald Airbase - Essex & Herts Air Ambulance - EHAAT to see a time-lapse of the complete external build.
Photo: Mark Hart (Barnes Construction) hands over the new base virtually to EHAAT CEO Jane Gurney accompanied by (L-R) Cliff Gale (Operations Director), Gaynor Wareham (Critical Care Paramedic), Lee Burling (Pilot), Clive Sturdy (Co Pilot) and Ben Clarke (Pre-hospital Care Doctor). The aircraft is the charity’s AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter, which is based at North Weald. Photographs by Warren Page Pagepix.