New AHS: Alternative sites considered for helipad

The emergency landing pad at the Clickimin will be moved to make way for the new Anderson High School.

Talks have emerged over the possible relocation of the helipad less than four years after the development was officially opened.

It comes as preparations gather pace to finally get the council’s flagship project underway and completed within the next three years.

Information on how the plans are developing are being discussed at an open day at Islesburgh today, whcih has been attended by an estimated 100 people already.

Architect Gordon Murray provided a presentation on the proposed four-storey development, along with environment and sustainability consultant, Annie Say, at last night’s meeting of Lerwick Community Council.

Questions were raised about the materials used and the possible impact the school could have on the surrounding environment.

Director of the SIC’s children’s services, Helen Budge, said the SIC was moving “ever closer” to lodging a planning application. She anticipated this would be done by the end of next month.

But she said a relocation of the helipad was being studied. The council’s emergency planning service are examining alternative locations.

At this stage it is not known exactly where the emergency pad will go, although Mrs Budge acknowledged it was widely regarded as an essential community resource.

“After subsequent communications with the emergency services we are going to have to look at relocation,” she said, adding progress was at a very early stage.

The landing pad was opened in May 2010 as part of a bid to bring incoming patients to the Gilbert Bain Hospital as quickly as possible. It was approved after NHS staff insisted emergency patients stood the best chance of survival if they were treated within the so-called “golden hour”.

Responding to news of the relocation, director of public health at NHS Shetland, Sarah Taylor, said it was important the landing pad stayed in Lerwick.

“There’s work being done through emergency planning that is looking for alternative sites and where it might go to because it’s something that is important and needed.

“We’re looking for somewhere in Lerwick because the alternatives in terms of formal landing sites are obviously Tingwall and Sumburgh, and the issues around those are the time it takes for ambulances to get there and transfer times for people coming in who are emergencies.”

Meanwhile, today’s public event on the Anderson High at Islesburgh runs until 8pm.

Mrs Budge said “A key part of the new Anderson High School project is ensuring people are kept up to date on how plans are progressing. I hope that as many people can come along to our second event, ask questions and see how the proposals are developing.”

Anyone unable to attend the public event can view the proposals at Hayfield House, Hayfield Lane, Lerwick. Comments can also be made in writing to Helen Budge, Director of Children’s Services, Hayfield House, Hayfield Lane, Lerwick, ZE1 0QD or by emailing.