The University of Nottingham's Highfields Sports Complex is known for its top sporting and conference facilities. With a number of top class football and rugby pitches, the facilities between Beeston and Dunkirk also include changing rooms, beach volleyball courts and a cricket square, according to the university's website.
But the land, located in a busy residential area, is also a landing spot for the air ambulance service, as well as coastguard and military aircraft who may need to transport critically injured patients to the nearby Queen's Medical Centre.
Helicopters, including air ambulances, have been landing on the grounds of the Highfields Sports Complex, off the A6005 University Boulevard, 'for years', according to neighbours living close to the site. Tony Fowkes, a retired neighbour in the area, added: "I never had issues. We do not mind it. The grandkids love it."
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The 71-year-old has lived in the area for nine years - and his garden oversees the vast grounds at the sports complex. "The most we had was four at once," he added of the aircraft landing on the grounds. We sometimes have VIPs landing here, and even royalties. Prince Harry, King Charles and Camilla landed here before as well.
"We saw the RAF before as well. We like it." His wife Jan Fowkes, aged 68, added: "It is interesting. The RAF only hover around and then they go."
"We had a few coming at night - but it is very rare," she added. "We love living here. It adds to it. It is enjoyable."
It comes as Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NHS) is yet to have its own on-site helipad at the Queen's Medical Centre campus. Previous plans to build the long-awaited £3.2m helipad within the grounds of the hospital were put on hold in 2017.
But a new helipad is still seen as a priority in the future. Allison Rigby, Head of Programme for Tomorrow’s NUH, a programme aiming to improve facilities across the hospital estate, said: “It has been a longstanding ambition of NUH to have an on-site helipad given its status as a Major Trauma Centre.
"The proposals we are developing through the Tomorrow’s NUH Programme include provision for a helipad at our Queen’s Medical Centre campus. Tomorrow’s NUH is part of the national New Hospital Programme and is in Cohort 4 with funding and development due in the period 2025-2030.“
Helen Allen, who has lived in the area for 26 years, recalls helicopters landing on the field near her home for "as long as I can remember". The 58-year-old carer added: "It never bothered me.
"They said for years that they were going to build a helipad [at the QMC]. Normally you can see the ambulances waiting for the helicopters."
She said: "I find it interesting. It happens frequently - maybe once a week."
John Ashton, 47, who works for the Dogs Trust, added: "It would make more sense to have a helipad at the hospital. It is a rugby site - so because of its length we do not get to hear it that much. The noise does not bother us."
The sports complex is also located next to the Nottingham Hockey Centre, which includes a world-class water-based hockey pitch owned by the university.
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