4:40pm Tuesday 7th July 2009
By Ruth Davies
One of Wales' most distinctive buildings could be taking on a new ship-shape style if plans to convert it to a four-bedroomed home are allowed to launch.
A question mark has been hanging over the future of Tenby's century-old lifeboat house off Castle Hill for several years, ever since the red-roofed building became surplus to the RNLI's requirements when the town's new lifeboat station came into use.
Although the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority agreed with the RNLI that the structure should be demolished, they were over-ruled by Welsh built heritage guardians Cadw, and so the search began for someone who could steer it to a new future.
Cardiff businessman Tim O'Donovan is hoping he could be that man.
Already with a holiday home in Tenby, Mr O'Donovan - boss of civil engineering company Horan - has spent the last six years researching the possibility of turning the boathouse into a unique living space.
"So when the advertisements went out that the RNLI were looking for someone to take over the lease of the property, I was ahead of the game," he explained this week.
FBM of Tenby, who were one of the joint agents marketing the lease, had 'literally hundreds of enquiries from across the globe' , said the company's Tenby manager, Luke Remington.
"It's quite understandable, for is there another property like this in the world?" he asked.
A much smaller number of workable schemes ended up being put forward for the building, and these were considered by a panel including representatives of the Park authority, the RNLI and landowners, the Crown Estates. Mr O'Donovan's was decided to be the most viable, and his plans will now go before Park planners.
"It's a very interesting design," said Michael Argent of Argent Architects, which has drawn up the plans for the building - once described as 'the most photographed tin shed in Britain'. They feature a contemporary galleried and oak-floored living space with three bedrooms off and a fourth bedroom in the upstairs area once housing the crew room. A picture window and a balcony with magnificent views across Carmarthen Bay occupy the launch doors.
Added Mr O'Donovan: "I'm not sure what this is going to cost - quite honestly, I'm afraid to find out. Around £30,000 alone is needed to make the exterior half-tidy, although the familiar appearance will be kept.
"But I can promise that if planning permission is granted, this scheme will go ahead, and it will cost whatever it takes to properly achieve."
The plans are due to go before Tenby Town Council this evening (Tuesday) for members to make a recommendation to the National Park Authority.
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