Sandown Lifeboat Station To Get New Home After Being Declared ‘Unfit For Purpose’

A vital Isle of Wight lifeboat station is set for a major upgrade after being declared no longer fit for purpose.

The Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat has been granted planning permission to demolish its current station on Sandown’s Western Esplanade and replace it with a modern, two-storey building.

Volunteers have run the station for decades, providing crucial life-saving services along the Island’s coastline.

But a planning statement submitted to County Hall described the existing building as structurally unsound and beyond economical repair due to long-term exposure to harsh coastal conditions.

“The new proposal presents an opportunity to modernise the station while maintaining continuity of vital services,” the statement said.

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

Sandown Town Council backed the application, noting that the new station would improve maritime safety and boost emergency response capabilities.

County Hall’s report on the application (25/01441/FUL) added that the new building would be a visual improvement and of great community benefit.

Officers said the design — using brick and render with mural display panels — would fit well with other two-storey buildings along the seafront and would not appear obtrusive within the coastal landscape.

The upgraded station will ensure the Island’s volunteer lifeboat service can continue to respond to emergencies safely and efficiently for years to come.