A SAFE place for the Devon Air Ambulance to land at night could be created in Princetown after several residents came forward to join a subcommittee to take the project further at Dartmoor Forest Parish Council’s annual parish meeting last week.

Inspired by the recent success of a neighbouring parish council to fundraise the money required for the installation and the future maintenance of a night landing site and associated equipment, Dartmoor Forest Parish Council hoped to follow suit and establish a subcommittee of interested residents to help raise the required funds.

The initiative was instigated by local resident John Druett, who contacted the parish council and Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) to find out more about the project.

Representative for DAAT Toby Russell attended the annual parish meeting to give more information about night landing sites.

Toby said: ‘Our helicopters are now flying until midnight every night. Our two helicopters get to 95 per cent of the population in five minutes or so. One of the critical parts of this is working with the community to create community landing sites which are part funded and managed by the community.

‘The process of flying at night is much more risky. If we can use pre-surveyed, designated sites, the pilots know exactly where is safe to land.’

He said the area needed to be flat but it was critical that the area was as close to the community as possible so paramedics had the best chance of leaving the site and running to the people in need in as short amount of time as possible.

The site would need a 10 metre column with two lights on it, which would be paid for by the community.

Toby said: ‘We have had a look around and seen two potential areas in Princetown — the football club field and the Jubilee field. They both meet the broad requirements however, the lighting would possibly be easier to install on the football pitch. The access is good and it offers good scope for the paramedics to get out and about. The light would be better on the far side of the field and the power could be taken from the community centre. At this point it is just a proposal. The land is owned by the Duchy and leased by the football club so we would need their support.’

Toby said that the total cost to establish a night landing site would be roughly £5,700/£5,800 but the DAAT could provide a grant for installation costs so the community would have to look at raising around £2,700/£2,800 for the equipment itself. Planning permission would also need to be applied for before installing the lighting column.

He added: ‘Assuming everyone is happy to proceed, I can help with fundraising and look into particular grants that may be available. We would work closely with the parish council and anyone who wants to be involved, particularly if they have experience in fundraising.’

Co-chair of the parish council Gregg Manning said: ‘I think everyone recognises the importance of being able to have the ambulance on call 24 hours a day. I know many people were impressed by the site in the parish of Bere Ferrers. As the largest parish in Devon, with some of the remotest villages in the South West and its popularity for outdoor pursuits, we think it is vital that we establish a site for visitors and residents alike.’

A number of people at the meeting put themselves forward to join the subcommittee to discuss the project further.