A FORMER coastguard volunteer and ex-pier master says lives could be put at risk if district planners refuse to back the relocation of Swanage's coastguard station.

Rescue chiefs want to move their Peveril Point base to the town's North Car Park, and district planning board members were set to visit the site on Thursday, November 22, before making a final decision the following week.

Derek Boorn, a member of Swanage Auxiliary Coastguard from 1989 to 1998, said: "The existing station is located in totally the wrong place.

"Coastguards answering a distress call have to assemble at Peveril Point, after negotiating during peak times an increasingly congested town and approach roads running through very busy car parks.

"These delays could be very detrimental to the well being of a person in a life-threatening situation. Over the years there have been many fatalities in this operational area."

The plans, first made public in the summer, are for a new rescue station comprising a double garage, training room, kitchen, shower, toilet and WC. A new public toilet will also be attached to the station.

Some neighbours fear the building and public toilets may turn into a meeting place for unruly teenagers and attract an antisocial element to the area.

But in a letter to the Echo, Mr Boorn said: "The team members, who are all local, tend to look after their own security arrangements and those of their neighbours, and will immediately notify police of any antisocial behaviour or criminal activity. Should the relocation to the car park be refused, the future of the whole operational volunteer coastguard team is in jeopardy."

Purbeck Planning Board will rule on the proposal on Thursday, November 29.