The existing lifeboat station at Wells-next-the-Sea is the longest serving RNLI building in history. Originally completed in October of 1895 the station has had three alterations to upgrade crew facilities and house different designs of lifeboat and machinery. 

Between 1895 and this current day, hundreds of Wells-next-the-Sea' townspeople have given large parts of their life to the running of the station, the maintenance of the lifeboats, machinery, and training to maintain their skills to enable them to save others and on numerous occasions risking their own lives to do so.

The selfless acts of these people, who trod many footsteps through the station, deserve to have this historic building conserved and preserved in their name!

There is a planning requirement set by NNDC that the building must be demolished within 6 months of the completion of the new lifeboat station. 

Is this conservation? Demolishing a building of such historic value? When there are buildings on the harbour itself with even less historic value that are grade 2 listed. This does not make sense, and you only have to look at Cromer to see that there are other possibilities for use and that there should not be a requirement to demolish it.

From recent social activity, it is concerningly noticeable that the community have had no say or communication in what happens to Wells' lifeboat station, in fact most people were not even aware that the demolition of this historic building was due to take place.

This building is perfectly suitable for use by local groups such as the Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, rowing clubs, maritime heritage organisations like Rescue Wooden Boats, or the sailing club or perhaps even a museum. 

There are numerous groups that would greatly benefit from the presence of this building and to use a section of it, whether it be for maintenance and storage or for fund raising events, or even a place for living servants of this station to have a cuppa and reminisce. The potential is endless and would help preserve this important building and the memory of the greats that worked so hard to keep us safe at sea.

We would like your signature to show solidarity in helping the people of Wells-next-the-Sea stop what is soon to happen to THEIR historic building, as it was THEIR families who sacrificed years of their lives in the station to enable them to carry out selfless acts.

On prevention of this imminent demolition, we will organise a large discussion of interested parties so that we can present this to the land owners in the hope that some of the amazing local organisations can keep this amazing building going!