18 February 2014 The NCI Lookout at Lyme Bay was destroyed by the storm on the night of 14 February. The lookout in the garden of the Burton Cliff Hotel, Burton Bradstock had previously withstood a force 10 storm on 23 December 2013 during daytime, when it was manned by two watchkeepers, so the station management were not unduly worried by the predicted high winds on 14 February. However when a neighbour Billy Bragg the well-known singer went to examine his property late that night he discovered that the roof of the Lookout had been blown away. 

 

Next day, there was no alternative but for the watchkeepers to complete the dismantling of the damaged walls of the Lookout which were then made safe against further high winds. Much of the furniture was beyond economic repair. While the optical and electronics equipment was removed to attempt salvage, hopes of success are not high due to the ingress of salt laden spray. 

 

The Lyme Bay Lookout is one of 50 NCI watchstations along the coastline of England and Wales. The Lyme Bay station at Burton Bradstock, Dorset was established in 2010 and the original team of six watchkeepers mostly ex Coastguards has grown to the present team of 38 who keep the station open every day of the year except Christmas Day. The present proposal is to build a new temporary lookout lower down the West Cliff at Burton Bradstock, with the eventual establishment of a permanent lookout at West Bay for which planning permission has been obtained. Progress is currently delayed, however, pending securing further funding of £35,000.