A listed building on Whitehaven’s harbourside – formerly home to the Sea Cadets – will be demolished, planners have confirmed.

The building on the Old New Quay will be knocked down after storms in December 2013 left it beyond “economic repair”. Winds of up to 100mph and massive waves hit the building leaving Whitehaven Sea Cadets without a base and the 20th century property in disrepair.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners – on behalf of the Sea Cadets – applied for the removal of the building, and planning permission has been granted by Copeland Council. The move is part of plans to redevelop the area at Old New Quay, and the historic watchtower, rocket house and coastguard tower on the site will be preserved.

“The site at Old New Quay would have been into its 75th year and its quite sad we had to move out but it was severely damaged beyond economic repair,” said Whitehaven Sea Cadets chairman David Abbott.

“It was our only option. Demolishing the building will pave the way for a new development down there. It would be cheaper to build a new property than bring the old one up to modern standards.”

The Sea Cadets are currently using a building at the rear of Dixons Department Store in Whitehaven after spending a few years occupying a room in the police station. They are searching for a permanent home.

Earlier this year, landowners Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners carried out a public consultation event to gauge views on the future of the harbourside.

Chief executive of the Commissioners, Celia MacKenzie, said: “The consultation work we did was to look at the historic significance of the buildings and to see what the public attitudes were.

“We’re looking to fund the conservation of buildings with historic significance like the flag tower, the old rocket house and the Word War Two lookout tower.”

She added: “This is the first phase, there will probably be two or three phases over the coming years. The first incidence is to demolish the Sea Cadet building. Once it’s done, the area will be open to the public. It basically hasn’t been available for the public to walk on in living history.”