PLANS have gone in for a new lifeboat station to be created in Portishead.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) wants to demolish the former Portishead Masonic Lodge in Pier Road and construct a purpose-built facility for the local lifeboat team. This is the latest move towards the RNLI adopting The Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat.

The RNLI first unveiled their proposals for a new lifeboat station in May at a public meeting held in the town.

The new building will be primarily for the storage and maintenance of the lifeboat, launching tractor and carriage and for the crew’s protective equipment. However, the plans also allow for modern crew changing facilities and a multi-purpose crew room for operational planning, local training and meetings. Toilets, a small workshop and a souvenir sales point are also included in the design.

An extension at an angle to the main building will house the lifeboat and launching rig. A tractor would be used to push the lifeboat and carriage to the water via a new 65 metre concrete ramp.

Tom Mansell, RNLI divisional inspector for the South West, says the views of the local community have helped shape the application.

He said: “The general reaction from local people to our plans to operate from this site has been very positive, but we have taken into account the numerous comments made at the public meeting before submitting our application.”

The trustees of the RNLI have agreed, in principle, to pursue the adoption of The Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat, but only if a long term permanent station, built to RNLI standards can be secured.

If the RNLI adopts the Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat, while it will benefit from a wider support network, it will remain a community organisation, manned by local volunteers and will still rely heavily on local support keep it operational.

If planning consent is granted by North Somerset Council, a fundraising campaign will be launched and work would start at the site in 2013.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the proposals or to make comment on them can email feedback@rnli.org.uk