Members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee are to advise CADW that they have no objections to listed building consent being granted for the demolition of the old Tenby lifeboat station. The application by the RNLI in respect of the Grade II listed building was discussed at Wednesday's meeting.
The old boathouse, built in 1905, became redundant in June when a new state-of-the-art station, constructed on the site of the Old Victoria Pier, was officially opened to house the first ever Tyne Class lifeboat to go on station in Britain, the Haydn Miller.
There are mixed feelings over its future, however. While Tenby Civic Society support the application and Tenby Town Council have no objections, opposition has been received from the Victorian Society, who do not believe that the necessary justification for demolition has been provided. "The continued existence of the old lifeboat station will not hamper operation of the new and the relatively recent repairs mean that there is no structural imperative for demolition," the society stated in a letter to the Park Authority.
"If a sublease is theoretically possible, then this option should be properly explored," they added. "In a seaside resort that relies upon its historic environment to attract visitors, the old lifeboat station could be a real asset and we would certainly argue that it adds to the character of the town.
"Given the legal status of the building's listing, we believe further representation should be made to the Crown Estate in the hope that an alternative solution for the lifeboat station can be negotiated."