As seen in The Cornishman Thursday, September 08, 2011

Proposed heliport could provide 66 jobs

Thursday, September 08, 2011

The Cornishman

TODAY is the last day to view British International Helicopters' (BIH) plans to move its operations from Penzance to St Erth.

Visitors to the two-day public exhibition at St Erth church hall have been able to see the details of the proposed helipad.

The company hopes to secure the future of the passenger service to the Isles of Scilly by selling its land at Jelbert Way, Eastern Green, to Sainsbury's.

With the capital released from the sale, the company said it would build a new passenger terminal, hangar and a 286-space car park on land owned by St Aubyn Estates.

If approved, the move would secure 66 jobs, with the new heliport being operational by April next year.

Managing director Tony Jones said: "The site at St Erth is suitable for a number of reasons and was selected after a wide-ranging search in the area. This move allows us to strengthen our business and to secure the future of the helicopter lifeline service from west Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly."

The site, south of the A30 off Station Approach, was chosen principally because it is connected to major road and rail transport routes. The firm also said its close proximity to the proposed park and ride transport interchange scheme made it an attractive option.

The heliport itself would include a hangar and a terminal building similar to the existing one in Penzance.

The hangar would be of a size to accommodate two Sikorsky S 61N helicopters, two fire engines, a workshop and office space for staff.

The 2,250sq ft terminal building is still in the final stages of design but would comprise passenger check-in facilities, baggage handling area, buffet for passengers, seating, pre-departure safety briefing lounge and toilets.

The heliport also requires a 400m final approach and take-off strip of grassed land.

The company has proposed to have two flight paths, which are designed to avoid residential properties.

According to Mr Jones, 85 per cent of the flights would fly directly South West from the site into the wind while the second route would take the helicopter in a climbing loop which avoids flying over the village of St Erth.

The company hopes to submit a planning application later this month.