Plans have been submitted to extend Peel lifeboat house to accommodate the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and improved facilities for crew members and visitors.

The proposal (18/01038/B), would see the lifeboat house extended by 3.5 metres and internal redesign to bring the building into line with ’modern welfare standards’.

Shannon class lifeboats have a range of 250 nautical miles and can be launched and recovered faster and safer than older lifeboat types.

In the design and access statement submitted as part of the bid, it says the new vessel class ’will improve the efficiency of the search and rescue capabilities of the RNLI’.

It explains that the RNLI’s programme of replacing the older lifeboat types is part of its ongoing plan to halve the number of drownings in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man by 2024.

The interior changes include combining the two crew change areas into one area and creating a private change area on the ground floor.

Technical improvements include a below ground fuel tank for the Shannon class vessel and tractor used to take it to and from the sea entry ramp.

As part of the RNLI’s aim to go carbon neutral, the plans include building two bore holes 80 metres underground to heat the building.

To accommodate the new Shannon Class vessel, the launch ramp will also have to be altered as will part of the harbour wall.

A recovery slipway would be installed on the south side of the launching ramp to allow the vessel to be hauled up the ramp and winched back onto the carriage.

The road would be widened to increase the turning radius available for the boat to be launched.

It is hoped the work will be completed by November 2019.