Members of Wilmslow Town Council want to push ahead with plans to build public toilets in The Carrs and believe they have found a suitable site.
Wilmslow's Cheshire East councillors have been working on this project for several years. The original plans, costed at £130,000, were revised and scaled down to cost between £110,000 and £125,000.
The Town Council agreed to set aside a budget of £65,000 last year for the project and Cheshire East Council was expected to provide some S106 money. However, this has still not been agreed.
Speaking at the Town Council meeting on Monday, 15th June, Chairman Keith Purdom said "We have identified a piece of land that would apparently be suitable to site the toilet and Cheshire East appear far more willing to be engaged on this subject."
He continued "We are no further forward on S106 money. It may be that we will make a proposal in due course, through the Devolved Powers Committee, for additional funds over and above the £65,000 that is currently budgeted - which would depend on our ability to get Cheshire East to part with some S106 monies."
Councillor Martin Watkins said "We are looking at The Carrs toilet project for what we want and how much it would cost and then looking to see how we might fund it. This is ongoing work."
He added "The idea is we will be going ahead with this project."
Councillor Purdom confirmed that Cheshire East Council have said that they think the proposed site is both suitable and should get planning permission. Next it needs to be discussed by the Devolved Powers Committee.
Keith Purdom added "Things are moving and a lot of us are really keen to get this done this year.
"We want to stop talking and get doing which is why I've expressed, as a personal opinion, if we don't get any money from anywhere else to spend on the toilets I personally would still want to go ahead but I'm just one of 15."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
A public toilet needs to be in the centre of town not stuck away on the Carrs.
How do they justify spending over £110,000 when all they need to do it reopen the one by the Library, which is centrally situated and parking available.
Wilmslow Town Council took the decision not to take responsibility for the toilet block by the library because that was not economic either. The decision to close it was only taken after discussions with local traders who could provide an alternative service. This has been done very successfully elsewhere in what is known as the Community Toilet Scheme - Bramhall is the nearest town which operates this scheme. I think there will be many parents who would agree that getting a small child from the Carrs to this location is not a realistic proposition. In addition, I have yet to hear from anyone who thinks that those toilets were, in anyway, comparable to the ambiance of those available elsewhere and nearby.
Toilets for the Carrs is a different proposition all together. Not only are there none available, there are none close by either. A new build is a solution we are exploring. There are specialist companies who can provide tailor-made facilities whilst Cheshire East have their own avenues. The outlay, which has yet to be agreed, is cost effective both to provide and to maintain whilst providing what many believe to be a long overdue facility.
I assume the Twinnies Bridge toilets are connected to adequate sewerage system, so what would it cost to renovate, maintain and re-locate skate park,& children's play area closer to Twinnies Bridge toilets/CP vs estimated cost of providing currently proposed facilities.
Worth noting the auto loo in Bank Sq was removed because the cost to C Tax payer / 'visitor' swas approx. £5.
I also take issue with your comment “That Wilmslow council took the decision not to take responsibility for the toilets block by the library because that was not economic either”
Certain things in life are essential, we all need loos, especially the older residents in Wilmslow.
Not all things can be on a cost only economic basis. If this reasoning was applied to parks or libraries there would not be any.
Wilmslow council have a social responsibility to provide adequate facilities in the town centre and not expect local businesses to do the job for them.
I for one am not aware of the list of businesses in the town centre that have signed up to this free usage of toilets within their premises.
Could you provide this list for me, especially premises that have an area where one can park and nip in;, your comments seem to assume everyone walks around Wilmslow.