Your Skipton Radio

6:00pm - 6:30am

Email the studio

The Killers

Human

Listen Live Podcasts

Yorkshire Air Ambulance gets go-ahead for new base

Thursday, 26 June 2025 07:25

By Joe Willis, Local Democracy Reporter

An artist's impression of the New Yorkshire Air Ambulance northern base.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has got approval to build a new northern base.

The facility will be opened on the outskirts of Skipton-on-Swale, near Thirsk, around three-and-a-half miles from the charity’s current base at RAF Topcliffe.

YAA has agreed to buy the land for the base and planning permission has now been approved by North Yorkshire Council.

The charity has been a tenant at the RAF base for more than a decade.

But it has spent several years searching for a permanent home in North Yorkshire due to uncertainty surrounding the future of the military facility.

Mike Harrop, chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said:

“We are delighted with this news and look forward to starting the build process in due course.

“This has already been a long journey for YAA and, after searching for a number of years, to now secure the right site for our new northern airbase is very exciting.”

He added:

“We are delighted that the outskirts of Skipton-on-Swale will be our permanent home for years to come and allow us to maintain continuity and stability for our critical care service.

“This new airbase represents a significant investment for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and one that is entirely aimed at improving the service we deliver to the communities we serve.

“It will strengthen our service, enhance patient care and provide a modern facility designed specifically for the needs of our aviation and medical crew.”

Mr Harrop said the new base was only possible thanks to the generosity of the charity’s supporters and funders.

The cost of the development is expected to be covered by savings and investments, grant funding, philanthropic support and private donations.

The new purpose-built base will include a clinical planning room, advanced training and simulation suite, crew accommodation, well-being zones and meeting spaces.

YAA also has an operational base at Nostell, near Wakefield.

The organisation operates a fleet of Airbus H145 D3 helicopters, serving a population of five million people.

More from Local news

Strong A Level performance celebrated by county’s schools

Students across North Yorkshire are celebrating after receiving their A Level, BTEC and T Level results today (Thursday).
Main section of A59 Kex Gill route set to open 'within weeks'

The main section of the new A59 Kex Gill route between Harrogate and Skipton is set to open within weeks.
Successful launch for Craven Court's new independent bookshop

A new independent bookshop has celebrated a successful first week in Skipton town centre.
Free family music workshops coming to Skipton this weekend

Families are being invited to take part in a series of free music workshops in Skipton this weekend.
Skipton streets targeted in £27,500 chewing gum clean-up

Busy areas of Skipton are set to receive a chewing gum clean-up after North Yorkshire Council secured £27,500 in new funding.
Police invite residents' views on Skipton Bus Station

Police are inviting residents to have their say on anti-social behaviour at Skipton Bus Station.
Rise in number of children in care contributes to Council's £10m overspend forecast

Costs due to a rise in the number of children in care has contributed to North Yorkshire Council forecasting a £10m overspend for the financial year.
Skipton coffee company celebrates top Great Taste award

Skipton-based Coffee Care is celebrating after receiving a coveted three-star Great Taste award for the third time.
Teenagers sentenced after terrifying knife-point robbery in Skipton

Two Keighley teenagers have been handed suspended prison sentences after luring a classmate to a Skipton park before threatening him with a knife, beating him and stealing more than £800.
North Yorkshire schools set for £6.8m improvement programme

School buildings across North Yorkshire could benefit from a £6.8 million programme of improvements as the council looks to tackle a growing backlog of repairs.
Skipton Business Awards finalists revealed after more than 1,200 nominations

Skipton BID has announced this year's Business Awards finalists after more than 1,200 nominations.
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC

Children across Yorkshire are being invited to nominate an adult in their life to be covered in slime live on CBBC.
Fresh calls for school transport changes to be abandoned amid claim council is ignoring own policy

North Yorkshire Council is facing fresh calls to abandon its controversial new home-to-school policy after it emerged that the authority was not following its own rules on how to assess eligibility.
Funding agreed to progress work on Skipton leisure hub redevelopments

North Yorkshire Council has approved the release of £360,000 to progress plans redevelop two leisure centres.
Community rallies to help elderly driver find 'missing' car in Skipton

The Skipton community has been thanked for rallying together to help an elderly driver find his car after he forgot where he had parked it.
Dales Dazzler trail running event returns to Skipton

Runners are set to take on some of the Yorkshire Dales’ most scenic trails when the Punk Panther Dales Dazzler returns to Skipton later this month.
Everything you need to know about Skipton Pride this weekend

Skipton Pride returns tomorrow (Saturday 8th August) for a day of live music, drag performances and family-friendly entertainment.
Police appeal after driver forgets where car was parked in Skipton

A police appeal has been launched after the owner of a car forgot where it was parked in Skipton.
Shoplifter caught trying to dump stolen goods in Skipton bin

A man has been remanded in custody after allegedly trying to dispose of stolen goods in a rubbish bin while being watched by police in Skipton.
Councillor breaks national fundraising record with charity head shave

A North Yorkshire councillor has broken national records by raising more than £17,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support after having head and beard shaved.