Work has begun to knock down one of Norfolk’s lifeboat stations - as a state-of-the-art one takes its place.

RNLI Wells confirmed that the process to dismantle the old lifeboat house has started.

A video was shared on the Facebook page Wells-Next-the-Sea Forum For visitors and Locals on November 16 showing fencing around the old building. 

Wells’ RNLI station has been given consent to build the new lifeboat station, which was conditional on the removal of the old boathouse.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Wells’ RNLI was given consent to build the new lifeboat station, which was conditional on the removal of the old boathouse.Wells’ RNLI was given consent to build the new lifeboat station, which was conditional on the removal of the old boathouse. (Image: Thea Hickling)

A spokesman for RNLI Wells said: “The old station has been adapted and added to over the years to meet operational requirements and further adaptation was carefully considered.

“However, owing to the building’s poor condition, a past significant tidal breach and ongoing concerns over its vulnerability to subsequent such breaches, it is no longer prudent that charitable funds continue to be used for its ongoing upkeep and maintenance.”

Last week, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the new station.

A petition was launched by a group in July 2022 to stop the demolition - and it gathered the support of over 35,000 signatures, but it has not stopped it.