By Chris Cornford
Better disabled loos have been proposed in fresh plans for new £130,000 toilets in Freshwater Bay.
Last year plans were submitted by Freshwater Parish Council to demolish the current dilapidated loos. The application was withdrawn, however, before a decision could be made following an extraordinary meeting of the council, to reconsider refurbishment options.
The current toilets on Gate Lane were built in the 1950s with urinals that have a continuous flow of water — leading to very expensive water bills for the parish council.
A task group was established to design the new toilets and plans have now been submitted again to demolish the existing facilities and replace them with more modern conveniences which would meet current standards. The existing facilities have no disabled toilets but the revised plans do.
It would result in a ‘minor increase’ in the building’s footprint size, but provide a hoist, changing benches and spaces for carers, in line with guidance for disabled toilets.
The parish council’s budget consultation for the coming year said the Bay is becoming an increasingly popular attraction.
To pay for the development, the council will take out a loan from the Public Works Loan Board, at a cost of £5,180 for the next 25 years — a total of £129,500.
To view the proposals, or comment on the application until April 13 view application number 21/00400/FUL on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
Isle of Wight Observer