New public toilets are a step closer for Sandown seafront.
The Isle of Wight Council has agreed to the long lease of land at Eastern Gardens, for a peppercorn rent, to Sandown Town Council (STC).
The town council has lodged plans to install new public facilities, which would stand next to the existing conveniences, that are currently closed due to their generally poor condition and engineering issues.
Speaking at the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet on Thursday, Cllr Debbie Andre, representative for Sandown North and member of STC, said as a beach destination, the town has an obligation to provide public toilets.
Cllr Andre said it soon became clear it would not be possible to provide the standard of toilets at the existing conveniences in Eastern Gardens, STC would like.
STC has submitted plans to the Isle of Wight Council to install the four pay-to-use toilets and two outside cold showers, next to the Southern Water pumping station. They are currently being consulted on.
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for regeneration, said it was a shame austerity forced the Isle of Wight Council to give up public conveniences as they understood how important they were.
She said could not thank enough the town, parish and community councils who have taken on the facilities, and in many cases improved them.
Cllr Jones-Evans said:
“They are so important to our public.”
Cllr Ian Stephens, who abstained from voting, wanted it ensured in the lease that the land was not allowed to be used for future retail use.
Cabinet member for strategic finances, Cllr Chris Jarman, confirmed the land would be explicitly reserved for public toilet use.
Should the plans be approved by the Isle of Wight Council, it is thought work will start after the upcoming summer season.
The toilets would be provided by Danfo, who have supplied other pay-to-use facilities in Shanklin, Yarmouth and Newport.
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