A plan for an ambulance station behind Aberaeron’s new integrated care centre is recommended for refusal by Ceredigion planning officers because of a flooding risk.

At the last development control committee meeting, Ceredigion county councillors discussed the proposal from the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust at the request of local member Cllr Elizabeth Evans.

The site at Minaeron is in a flood risk zone and Natural Resources Wales has recommended the plan to convert a former council garage into offices with space for two ambulances and first response vehicles is refused.

Cllr Evans states in a report to next week’s meeting: “This area does not flood – and this was evident last year when the highest river levels on the Aeron were recorded.”

The report adds that the principle of an ambulance station in Aberaeron is supported by the local planning authority, but there was a risk of it not being operational due to high flooding and “this has the potential to have significant consequences which are potentially fatal”.

Officers add that an alternative location would be more suitable “where it can be operational at all times, so to serve the wellbeing and safety of people and the community”.