THE next stage in a project to bring a new, larger lifeboat to Happisburgh has seen the submission of a planning application to build an improved boathouse at Cart Gap.
THE next stage in a project to bring a new, larger lifeboat to Happisburgh has seen the submission of a planning application to build an improved boathouse at Cart Gap.
The current D-Class lifeboat has been housed at Cart Gap, a mile away from Happisburgh, for several years since the original boathouse in the village was rendered unusable after the clifftop access ramp was irreversibly damaged by coastal erosion.
An ongoing project to bring an Atlantic 75 to the station for a two year trial, where it would operate alongside the present boat, has already seen a major upgrade to the wooden access ramp to the sea.
The latest part of the scheme is to gain permission for the building of two new structures, one to house the two lifeboats and the other to provide a crew room and office.
The new buildings would be on the grass next to the present building, which in turn would be removed.
The longer term intention of the RNLI is to build a permanent lifeboat station at Cart Gap, but the latest current plans would help the crew operate for the next four to six years.
The Atlantic will enhance the provision of search and rescue cover at Happisburgh because it can operate more than 20 miles offshore, is faster and has better rough weather capability than the class D boat.
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