Plans for Sheppey Ambulance Station to be converted to become a training centre have been approved by Swale council.

The proposals, given the go-ahead last month, will see training areas, stores, lockers, unisex showers and toilets, a crew room and more parking added.

It comes as the South East Coast Ambulance service, which owns the building, is considering closing its Sittingbourne station in Crown Quay Lane.

The existing garage space in Main Road, Queenborough, will be cut to allow for the extra rooms to be added.

Paramedic and operating unit manager, Will Bellamy, said: “These improvements are part of the trust’s ongoing work to move all of its estate to its Make Ready system – a vehicle preparation system which sees specialist teams of staff employed to clean, restock and maintain vehicles, meaning staff, who previously undertook these tasks, can spend more time treating patients.”

The system also involves crews starting and ending shifts at a central centre.

Mr Bellamy added: “We are pleased our plans have been approved which will bring the area in line with the system in place across much of our region.

'We are pleased our plans have been approved' - Will Bellamy

“Following this refurbishment our Sheppey site will also provide new educational and training facilities.

“As part of the proposals it is recommended we dispose of our current Sittingbourne site which is in need of modernisation and does not adequately serve the trust’s requirements.

“We are committed to maintaining a response location within Sittingbourne and we are in the process of discussing options with partners.”

The centre would also be used for crews to take breaks.

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