Plans by the RNLI to return the old 1895 built lifeboat station at Tenby’s Castle Beach into operation to house facilities for both lifeboat crew and beach lifeguarding personnel will improve the organisation’s capacity for maintaining its lifesaving services within the resort and the surrounding area.

Planning permission was granted last year by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for the change of use and conversion of the existing Grade II listed building, to include construction of new launch ramp for use as an inshore lifeboat station and beach lifeguard unit.

The RNLI crew at Tenby currently operates out of both the Castle Hill Slipway Lifeboat Station where the state-of-the-art Tamar all weather lifeboat is housed; whilst the smaller D Class inshore lifeboat (ILB) launches from the station just off the harbour.

However, the present location for the ILB facility does not provide long term security in view of the cliff condition; and there is also a need to provide essential crew welfare, support and compliant changing facilities.

The vision within the RNLI is to return the old 1895 built lifeboat station into operation and accommodate both the D Class ILB and the beach lifeguards operating on Castle Beach.

The proposals aim to provide a station in a much more suited location for multi-use and a faster response together with essential crew support, training and welfare facilities. These together with improved layouts will ensure the station meets current requirements whilst improving launch and recovery times.

This need is driven by the RNLI’s operational aim to reach 95% of casualties in all-weather conditions within 30 minutes of launch at any time of day or night and in all weather conditions, with the work forming part of a national programme of improvement and investment.

The intention of the proposal is to provide a station that celebrates and protects the building’s heritage which is capable of supporting all operational needs and can meet the demands with regards to Community Lifesaving and the adopted requirements of the RNLI’s RISE model (Rescue, Influence, Supervise and Educate).

The Old Lifeboat House was the third Lifeboat station to be built in Tenby. It was constructed in 1895 by WT Douglas to replace the previous station immediately behind (built in 1862 and demolished 1985) which had replaced the Lifeboat Station (built 1852) built against the harbour wall on Harbour Beach.

The third Station was used only for a short time before being replaced by the lifeboat- house on the North side of Castle Hill in 1905. This station was then replaced by the new boat house on Castle Hill (built 2005) which is located further along the South-East end of Castle Hill.

The 1895 Lifeboat Station went out of use in 1905 and has since been mostly used as a store. A change of use application was granted in 2014 and the building was rented and used by the Tenby Climbing Wall company since. The building was designated Grade II listed in 2002 as a lifeboat house of maritime historic interest.

When built the 1895 Station was designed to house the “Annie Collins” a 34 ft’ 10 oared ‘pulling’ rowing boat.

Due to the building’s heritage value careful consideration has been taken during the design to avoid unnecessary alteration to both the building’s external facades, internal walls and trusses.

The proposed works will aim to ensure that all possible measures are taken to reduce the impact to the appearance of the existing building and relationship with the adjacent buildings and setting, whilst providing a modern RNLI compliant facility.

The proposal is for the rearrangement of the current internal layout and the installation of a launching ramp, with the layout adapted to provide on the ground floor a workshop, crew gear storage area and an ILB boathall with adequate space for a D Class Inshore lifeboat, small tractor unit and an ATV vehicle.

The existing entrance, on the landward face of the building, will be retained and kept as the main entrance to the building. At the seaward face the non-original main doors will be replaced by new traditional outward opening timber doors housed within the existing opening and providing access to the new launch ramp.

“Tenby has established a long-standing commitment to support the RNLI and the station and plays an important part in the history of the town,” said an RNLI spokesperson.

“Strong links between the community and the RNLI have been formed and the addition of a modern facility to encourage more public engagement will only strengthen this bond.

“The works will form an important addition to one of the most popular areas in Tenby. Provision of an additional attraction to Castle Beach, and a more visible lifeguarding operation will encourage more visitors to the area, boosting footfall to the surrounding businesses.

“Reinstating this landmark to its original purpose will ensure the history of the building is safeguarded and protected, securing its place and future within the established sea front.”