Approval could be given tonight (Tuesday) for the first step in controversial changes in Ryde.
As part of the £10 million Ryde Interchange scheme, demolition of the Ryde Pier Cafe and public toilets in Western Gardens is being proposed.
A new pier access road, parking and waiting bays for cars will be built instead.
The Ryde Interchange project is a government-funded travel scheme to increase connectivity across The Solent and enhance sustainable travel in the town.
The move to remove the public toilets, however, has not been fully supported by residents, despite the fact new toilets will be provided within the Ryde Esplanade railway station, along with a new cafe.
Two objections were submitted to the application with campaigners saying the removal of the toilets and the cafe was unjustified.
A campaign to stop the entire highways scheme was unsuccessful after the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet approved the scheme in October last year.
It is proposed the construction of the interchange will start in the spring, and last for approximately a year, in a bid to stick to strict timeframes set by the Department for Transport.
The demolition of the toilet block would take two weeks and be done outside of the overwintering bird season.
If the demolition is approved, temporary toilets will be provided on the Esplanade while the new provision is built.
The Isle of Wight Council, the body seeking permission to demolish the building, has said it is of little, if any, historic value and its removal would improve some views of the Ryde conservation area when people come off the pier.
While the building has been rejected from a national listing by Historic England, council planning officers acknowledges it does have some historic value to the area although it makes a limited positive contribution to the conservation area.
They also say it has been substantially altered over time and its removal would enhance the character of the area and views of the pier.
Planners have recommended the demolition be approved, with only two conditions to the permission, but the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee will make the final decision tonight.
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