New ambulance station gets green light from planners

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning permission for the construction of a new ambulance station hub in Ballymena.

The permission given to the NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) is also for associated support facilities and these plus the new station will be housed in a complex of new two-storey buildings with secure parking for emergency vehicles with easy access on to the town’s road network.

Announcing the approval, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: “This is good news for people in Ballymena. It will provide high quality support for emergency care services.

“I am committed to prioritising development proposals for community care infrastructure. This application was turned around within six months.”

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “This new ambulance station will be a very important facility for the people in the Northern Trust area.

“It will be a new divisional headquarters for NIAS and will include space to garage up to a dozen vehicles...and will include conference and training facilities.”