Barra is on course to get a state-of-the-art lifeboat station if Comhairle nan Eilean greenlights a planning application from the RNLI.

The charity organisation is planning a major investment in Castlebay to improve facilities for the station’s two lifeboats and crew.

The existing station was established in 1931 but now falls below the modern standards set by the RNLI.

Coming before the Comhairle as the planning authority is an application to demolish the existing station and build a new facility.

In a submission to the Comhairle, the RNLI stated: “It is considered that the existing station building at Castlebay, Barra, is too remote from the water’s edge and cannot be appropriately extended or re-configured to provide the existing crew with all the necessary modern facilities required for their important life-saving duties. It is therefore proposed to demolish the existing building and construct a new lifeboat station (including separate sleeping accommodation) on the existing site owned by the RNLI.”

The proposed facility will provide adequate space for the housing, safe egress/access and maintenance of the lifeboats and be in line with modern RNLI standards for crew training, administration, changing and welfare facilities.

The new 565 square metre lifeboat station will include an engagement space and public viewing area to meet the education and coastal safety objectives.

The Castlebay station currently operates a Severn class lifeboat, the largest type of lifeboat in the RNLI fleet, and a D-class inshore lifeboat.