Ambulance-station expansion plans submitted

New units could be used to extend emergency capacity in Horncastle

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has applied to expand its ambulance station in Horncastle into a larger, more eco-friendly unit.

A unit on Boston Road Industrial Estate is already home to a station operated by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, but units I and J could soon be used to extend the emergency service capacity.

EMAS said an extension would provide better staff facilities so emergency situations could be handled quicker and more effectively.

A decision on the application will be made by East Lindsey District Council.

Details in the application include electric-vehicle charging provisions, solar panels on the roof of the building and a new air source heat pump, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It would, however, see the removal of three of the 10 existing parking spaces at the site, leaving it with just seven, although two extra spaces would be made available for light goods vehicles.

The station would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

EMAS covers almost five million people across the East Midlands, answering emergency calls at an average rate of one every 25 seconds.

The trust's headquarters are in Nottingham but there are ambulance stations across the region.

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