A LIFEBOAT resotration project put at risk by a quay regeneration scheme has been given a reprieve.

Fibre optics company CCL UK is due to become the leaseholders of Gas House Quay but seaman Rod Shaw has been using the site to bring the former Penlee Lifeboat back to seaworthy condition.

There were fears Captain Shaw would be forced to leave his work unfinished allowing CCL UK to move in, however various parties have thrashed out a solution which will allow him to stay until August 26 before moving to a berth.

Tendring Council owns the site and leader Mick Page said: “We are delighted CCL UK is taking over Gas House Quay and the regeneration opportunities this could lead to for Harwich are fantastic.

“However there was also an historical craft of national importance being repaired and rebuilt there and it would have been a shame to jeopardise the project.

“I am very grateful to CCL UK’s managing director Steve Wakefield for the way he has approached this issue.

“With his support and invaluable help from Tendring councillor Ivan Henderson we have got to a point where call can be accommodated and everyone is a winner.

“I did all in my power to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion but it needed a certain amount of willingness on all sides for this to happen and we have got there.”