By Isle of Wight Observer
A seafront toilet block, in one of the Island’s busiest tourist towns, could be transferred to Sandown Town Council (STC) for just £1 under proposals going before County Hall later this week.
The policy, finance and resources committee will consider the disposal of the Pier Street Regeneration Opportunity, a small building opposite Sandown Pier that has operated as public toilets for only three months each summer between 2019 and 2025. During that period, STC funded the limited seasonal opening, using the former ladies’ toilets as a unisex facility while the gents remained closed.
A council report describes the site as a “high‑profile regeneration opportunity” identified in the authority’s previous regeneration strategy.
Planning consent has already been granted for redevelopment, and the site has been marketed twice, but both attempts failed to secure a viable scheme.
STC has expressed interest in carrying out minor works to reopen the toilets more fully in the short term, before developing a wider regeneration plan once funding and proposals are in place. However, the report highlights several challenges, including planning conditions requiring public realm improvements, the cost of those works, and the obligation to reprovide public toilets if the existing facility is lost.
Councillors are being recommended to approve the transfer of the freehold to STC for the “notional sum of £1”, subject to due diligence and strict conditions. These include a requirement that the town council continues to provide public conveniences on the site until any future redevelopment takes place. If a new scheme removes the existing toilets, STC must provide replacement facilities nearby to County Hall’s satisfaction before any demolition or closure can occur.
The final decision will rest with full council. The committee meets at County Hall at 5pm on February 5.