Bristow provides commercial Search and Rescue (SAR) services in multiple countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Pioneering the provision of search and rescue services around the world for 50 years, Bristow sought to develop a world-class training facility at Daedalus.

We were appointed at the outset of the project, leading on early pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority. There was a contractual deadline for the training centre to be operational and these pre-application discussions were essential in identifying and resolving key planning considerations and issues early. These included how Biodiversity Net Gain would be achieved adjacent to an active airport and measures to mitigate habitat loss.

We worked closely with the project team, undertaking pre-application engagement with the local community to refine the scheme ahead of submission.

The strength of the relationship we built with the Local Planning Authority enabled proactive discussions to successfully address all planning matters and ensuring it was heard at a timely Planning Committee for determination.

Securing planning permission for the Search and Rescue Training Centre required us to ‘think outside the box’ and find solutions to multiple challenges. Our ability to do this was even more important for this project which had several contractual targets that had to be met.

The Search and Rescue Training Centre will provide a state-of-the-art facility that will help train the next generation of search and rescue crews that will go on to save many lives. We are pleased to have been a part of this journey with Bristow Helicopters.