REVAMP FOR HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE
THE historic Lundy Island North lighthouse is set to be modernised, improved and brought back to its original function after a gap of almost 30 years.
The lighthouse was built in 1897 and for nearly a century helped guide shipping away from the rocks, at the treacherous point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel.
Over the years more than 200 ships have sunk near the island and the surrounding waters are popular with divers who explore the wrecks on the seabed.
Modern navigation aids have lessened the importance of lighthouses, but it is proposed to restore it, partly for heritage reasons.
The lighthouse is 56ft tall and produces a quick white flash every 15 seconds. The lighthouse tower and engine room have been non-operational, except as a daymark, since the lighthouse was automated and converted to solar in 1991.
Plans have been submitted by the Corporation of Trinity House, a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, which has a statutory duty as a general lighthouse authority to improve the function and appearance of the station.
Documents submitted to Torridge District Council planners say that the current arrangement whereby the site is largely mothballed does not serve well the basic services required on maintenance visits to the lighthouse.
It adds that the key heritage element of the building, the tower, has no function, and that elements of redundant plant are corroding and need to be removed as in some cases they are a safety hazard.
The Corporation of Trinity House proposals would see: a new light installed inside the lantern room of the lighthouse tower; solar panels on the roof of the water recycling tank; and the redundant fuel tanks and emergency light on the top of tower removed.
Two gates would be installed to keep the public away from the solar panels, and lightning protection would be added to the tower.
The lighthouse tower would be separated from the former living accommodation block and former engine room by blockwork walls and creating a suspended floor.
Blocking off the corridors that connect the lighthouse to the engine room and the accommodation blocks would also allow the corridor areas to be used as rooms in their own right and provide the opportunity to create a dayroom and toilets.
A statement with the planning application says: “The station is scheduled for programmed modernisation and is a good opportunity to improve both the function and appearance of the station.
“The current arrangement whereby the site is largely mothballed does not serve well the basic services required on maintenance visits to the lighthouse. It is considered that moving the light into the tower will be a very positive improvement to the building in heritage terms. It is considered that the proposed new position for solar panels will be much more sensitive to the setting of the listed building than the current arrangement.
“The removal of the emergency light from atop the lighthouse tower is considered to be a minor change not harming the historic character of the building. This is an unmanned station where access is difficult and expensive.
“The future viability of this building relies upon an ability to keep ongoing maintenance to a minimum and that is especially the case in parts of the building that no longer serve an operational function. It is not therefore practical to repair and maintain the existing light.”