Cabinet has launched the RNLI’s bid for Tenby’s former lifeboat station lease.

The leasehold disposal includes the former lifeboat station, and part of Castle Beach next to the slipway, to the RNLI for use by the in-shore lifeboat.

A report to cabinet on Monday, February 15 states that the freehold of the current inshore lifeboat station is owned by the council and leased to the RNLI but space issues and the threat of cliff falls, which caused a temporary relocation to South Beach recently, led to a request to use the Castle Beach station.

“The former lifeboat station building was constructed in 1895 and was operated by the RNLI until 1905. The property previously benefited from a 31 ft wooden slipway, the RNLI wish to reconstruct something similar and have secured planning consent from PCNPA for a new slipway,” the report states.

It adds that provisional terms have been agreed which include full repairing and insuring lease of 125 years, at a rate to be finalised, to facilitate the relocation of the inshore lifeboat station.

Clr. Phil Baker asked about what the vacated building would be used for and was told it would be released back onto the market for rental, most likely for storage use.

A recommendation that the terms for the lease be delegated to the director for community services Dr. Steven Jones and income ring-fenced for capital works within Tenby harbour was approved.