Spend A Penny... Or A Pound - Sandown Seafront Toilet Block Could Be Sold For £1

A seafront toilet block in Sandown could be sold by the Isle of Wight Council for a nominal £1.

The proposed transfer of the Pier Street Regeneration Opportunity to Sandown Town Council is set to be considered by councillors on the Policy, Finance and Resources Committee.

The building, located opposite Sandown Pier, has been used as public toilets on a limited basis between 2019 and 2025, typically operating for around three months during the summer season, according to a council report.

The document says Sandown Town Council is initially looking to carry out minor works to reopen the toilets, with the longer-term aim of developing a more comprehensive regeneration scheme once plans and funding are in place.

The report describes the site as a “high-profile regeneration opportunity” in a key tourist location on Sandown seafront.

Planning permission has previously been granted for redevelopment, and the site has been marketed twice, although both attempts were unsuccessful.

Discussions between the Isle of Wight Council and Sandown Town Council have been ongoing for several years. During this time, Sandown Town Council has funded the partial operation of the toilets, with only the former ladies’ facilities used as a unisex toilet. The former gents’ section has remained closed.

The report highlights a number of challenges, including planning conditions linked to public realm works, potential costs, and the requirement to provide replacement public toilets if the existing facility is lost through redevelopment.

Councillors are being recommended to support the transfer of the freehold development opportunity to Sandown Town Council for the notional sum of £1, subject to satisfactory due diligence being carried out.

Any transfer would include conditions requiring Sandown Town Council to continue providing public conveniences at the site until any regeneration takes place.

If redevelopment results in the loss of toilets, replacement facilities would need to be provided nearby, to the satisfaction of the Isle of Wight Council.

The Policy, Finance and Resources Committee is due to meet at County Hall at 5pm on 5 February, with the final decision to be made by full council.