Sheffield Children’s Hospital in the UK county of Yorkshire is proposing a helipad at their “Embrace Centre” at nearby Dodworth.  The Hospital has used architects Beamont & Cowling to manage the planning application (ref 2013/1239).

The Design and Access Statement submitted as part of the documentation pack gives an overview description as follows: “The proposal is to provide a helicopter Landing area to allow the Embrace Team to improve the round the clock transport service they provide for critically ill infants and children in Yorkshire. The use of an air ambulance helicopter will enable the Embrace team to move Specialist medical teams and equipment quickly to the sickest patients throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region. The service will also allow the transfer of patients who require care in another hospital in a quick and efficient manner with the minimal of discomfort to the patient whilst also providing medical stabilisation of the patient during the transport journey.”

The location is immediately adjacent to junction 37 on the M1 motorway, a limiting factor for safe helicopter operations.  The site plan indicates two possible approach/departure paths, one to the SSE and one to the NE.  The Proposed Site Section diagram – shown below – indicates a 4.8° flight path to the NE passing just 17 metres above the nearer carriageway of the motorway.  Given the motorway is in cutting at that point, the potential for suddenly surprising motorists – and causing accidents – must be extremely high.

The application process allows public feedback up to 4th December 2013 – see here

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com

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