The RNLI is not pulling out of making a substantial investment in Douglas lifeboat station.

A rumour had been circulating that the institute had withdrawn from major redevelopment of the site – thought to be worth £8m – because of a disagreement over the lease with Douglas Council.

But this is not the case, according to the RNLI, who have confirmed in a statement they are not ‘pulling out of plans to improve infrastructure at Douglas’.

The RNLI submitted a plan (16/00728B) for conversion of the existing boathouse into a crew facility, demolition of existing slipway and construction of a pontoon berth for a new Shannon-class lifeboat.

In the application, the RNLI said Douglas lifeboat station was strategically ‘essential’ in providing cover in the Irish Sea.

In the redesign, the lifeboat is to be moored at an afloat pontoon berth, protected by a wave screen and accessed via a link span from the boat house.

The proposal provoked objections from Douglas Bay Yacht Club because the club said the work will ‘disrupt our use of’ and possibly ‘lead to the loss of a number’ of moorings.

The RNLI said the proposal was ‘currently still being discussed and the charity is working with the Isle of Man government to decide the best way forward for the project.’

Rumours that problems in Douglas meant advancement of Port St Mary’s long promised new pontoon were discounted. The RNLI said: ‘Any infrastructure improvements at Port St Mary RNLI are being considered separately to Douglas RNLI. The RNLI is currently looking at options for making operations at Port St Mary RNLI as safe and effective as possible.’