NEWPORT may see upgraded public toilets, following a vote by the parish council.
Newport Parish Councillors voted to seek planning planning permission for an upgraded facility in Post Office Lane, off the High Street.
The parish council have been working with Christopher Scott, chartered surveyors, to develop a scheme for new unisex and disabled toilets at the site.
The current block will be demolished and three Danfo toilet modules will be installed.
It is also planned to develop the surround public space, using the expertise of AJ Wells and inspiration from artwork by young people and local artists.
Chair of the parish council’s devolved services committee, Cllr Peter Whiteman, said: “I am extremely pleased our members want to take this opportunity to improve this eyesore of a toilet facility within our capital town and this will mark the first stage of improving all our toilet blocks for residents and visitors.”
Isle of Wight Council ward councillor, Julie Jones-Evans, said: “I always saw the transfer of the public toilets to the parish council as a fantastic opportunity to improve these valued facilities.
“Opening up this unattractive space which is unloved into a bright, safe, open environment and working with local artists is going to vastly improve the experience of being in Newport.”
Discussions between the parish council and the Isle of Wight Council around the public toilets on South Street, Newport, have reached an impasse.
The toilets were closed in April following drainage issues and the parish council offered to open the block and take on day-to-day maintenance, as long as overall responsibility for the building remained with the Isle of Wight Council, but this was not accepted.