Plans for a new Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) ambulance station in Dereham have been submitted to Breckland Council.
The proposals would see Global House, a storage and distribution site on Hall Road and on the eastern edge of the Yaxham Road trading estate, transformed into a training facility, offices and ambulance station.
A planning assessment produced by NARS says it will include an initial investment of half a million pounds to develop the now vacant site.
The planning assessment also states: 'The proposed development is clearly an essential element of health infrastructure, both in training and emergency responses, for the immediate and wider region.
'The provision of current and future jobs would also benefit the community in which the facility is based and NARS has committed to using local businesses where possible and encouraging course candidates to utilise local hotels and facilities for the duration of the courses.
'The site represents an ideal location for an essential element of health and emergency services and training infrastructure, where the activities associated with the proposed use would not harm residential amenity or the operation of neighbouring commercial premises and which benefits from excellent road access.'
Serving the east of England region, the new facility would employ both full time and part time staff and will include car parking spaces for vehicles.
NARS is a charitable organisation which assists the ambulance service in the management of sick patients, whether that be at home or on the roadside.
The volunteer doctors and paramedics carry specialist equipment to cope with the most challenging of medical situations and are called upon when needed by the ambulance service.
The new NARS ambulance station and training centre would be in addition to the current ambulance station based in Littlefields, Dereham.
The assessment added: 'The development will positively contribute to the area by bringing a vacant building back into a viable employment use.
'The site's location adjacent to the A47, with immediate access to both Norwich and King's Lynn directions of travel means that it is ideally suited to the needs of the proposed facility.'
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