Plans for a new ambulance station in Aberystwyth have been approved by Ceredigion planners, although the Welsh Ambulance Service has admitted that it has had to draw up an alternative site if severe flooding hits.

The Welsh Ambulance Services wants to demolish the current ambulance station in Llanbadarn Road and replace it with a new purpose-built facility.

It would provide a changing room and toilets, store rooms, mess room with kitchen, computer room, training room, offices and meeting rooms, and garage and ambulance bay, the plans show.

The development has been welcomed by a patient watchdog, which has said it will provide better facilities for ambulance crews.

As part of the application, a flood report had to be completed as the location is in what is considered to be a flood plain by Natural Resources Wales.

Welsh Government advice is that emergency service developments should “remain flood free” during flooding rated as a once in a thousand year event.

But the flood report said: “Clearly this is not the case, with the proposed development likely to be out of commission during such periods.

“To mitigate against this, it will be necessary to have an alternative site for the ambulance to be stationed during flood risk periods.

“In addition, flood proofing measures should be adopted to ensure the station can be up and running quickly following an event."

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