FOR nearly 40 years, its lifeboat volunteers have been serving the sailing community from a pokey garage, without proper facilities to wash, change or dry off after a call out.

Amid the setting of an internationally- renowned yachting mecca, the old lifeboat station on the Hamble foreshore is falling apart and so small the boat used on lifesaving trips has to be partially dismantled before it can fit back inside.

The 18 volunteers, who last year attended 90 incidents involving 299 people, have to dry and change at home.

They even have to rely on public toilets that neighbour the garage, but often find them closed.

But Hamble Lifeboat Trust's plans to upgrade its facilities appear to have been scuppered because the parish council says its proposals are too big.

Despite coming back with four different designs, each one smaller than the last, Hamble Parish Council, which owns the land off Green Lane, has refused to accept the proposals.

During the five-year battle, the trust has now spent all the money earmarked for the new station on architects' and planning fees.

The latest application, which would house the boat hall, public toilets and showers on the ground floor, and control room and private crew area above, has been granted planning permission by Eastleigh Borough Council.

But the trust is unable to move forward because of the objections of the grassroots village authority.

"I can't describe how frustrating it is for everybody," lifeboat operations manager Colin Olden said.

"This is the fourth design we've put forward, but they've rejected every one. We're now down to the minimum size it can be. The new station is just big enough to comply with health and safety rules, fire regulations and the Factories Act."

"But the parish council says it's too big, end of story. It's the council's land and there's no compromise."

Hamble Parish Council chairman Ian Underwood said the council has supported the trust since its formation and is happy for it to replace the boat house, but the current proposals would be "over-development".

The council has now appointed its own architect to come up with outline alternative plans.