‘No Longer Fit For Purpose’ Sandown Lifeboat Station Set For Replacement

An Isle of Wight lifeboat station deemed ‘no longer fit for purpose’ could be replaced with a new building to continue its life-saving service.

Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat is seeking planning permission to demolish its current station on Sandown’s Western Esplanade.

The Island charity is run by volunteers and has ‘served the Isle of Wight’s coast for decades’, according to a submitted Planning Statement.

It proposes to build a new and ‘resilient’ two-storey station in place of the existing structure which has become ‘structurally unsound’ and  ‘beyond economical repair’.

The Planning Statement said:

“The existing building is no longer fit for purpose due to prolonged exposure to harsh coastal conditions and general deterioration.

"The new proposal presents an opportunity to modernise the station while maintaining continuity of vital services.

“The proposed replacement lifeboat station will secure the long-term viability of the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and enable its continued life-saving service.

“The project will make use of an already approved footprint and respond appropriately to environmental and operational challenges.”

County Hall’s public consultation on application 25/01441/FUL finishes on November 7 and a decision has been scheduled for November 26.