DEVON Air Ambulance’s network of night landing sites is set to increase with one earmarked for Horrabridge.

Outline planning pernission has been granted for the landing site at Fillace Park and Horrabridge Parish Council has agreed funding towards the project with a grant contribution of more than £3,000 from Devon Air Ambulance.

The parish council is putting £5,000 into the pot to seal the deal after an overwhelming response from the community in support of the scheme.

Chairman of Horrabridge Parish Council Cllr Mike Huda said: ‘The Devon Air Ambulance has been given a chunk of money from the Government to set up these night landing sites and we are putting a certain amount towards it.

‘I have lived in Horrabridge for the last 12 years and have seen the air ambulance land here in the village on a number of occasions.

‘Yes we are close to Derriford Hospital but when people are critically ill or have bad burns or broken bones they need to be moved quickly. I have not had one negative reaction about the village putting money into this project.

‘We really don’t have to do anything. The air ambulance has chosen the site, which is perfect because it has three access points, and they will install the post with a light on it that is triggered by a mobile phone.

‘We are hoping the installation, light and access works will be complete within the next few months.’

Horrabridge Parish Council will then be responsible for the ongoing maintainace of the site which is close to its sports pavilion.

A night landing site is already up and running at Yelverton and two sites have been indentified in Tavistock including one at Crowndale.

There are now 164 operational community night landing sites in Devon with a further 60 sites at various stages of development. These can be used from dusk until 2am when the service closes down. The air ambulance hopes to provide a 24-hour-a-day service in the future.

Once the Devon Air Ambulance has been tasked to a patient, the lighting is activated by telephone call from the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services dispatch team, prior to the aircraft arriving at the site. Once the emergency is over, the lighting will be de-activated using another call.