Following the successful roll-out of Andover’s new Community Toilet Scheme, Test Valley Borough Council has applied for permission to demolish the former public toilet block in George Yard car park. The move will create an extra five car parking spaces close to the town centre and open up the area leading to the High Street.
The Community Toilet Scheme, which officially launched in July, allows members of the public to use facilities in participating businesses without an obligation to make a purchase. As a result, toilets are now available in more locations, for longer hours and are safer to use as they are in busy town centre establishments.
Leader of the Council, Phil North, said:
The Council previously took the decision to close the toilets in George Yard in the interests of public safety. We regularly found used needles and other drug paraphernalia left in the cubicles and on one occasion, a member of our cleaning staff suffered an injury caused by a hidden needle. That is why we decided to implement the Community Toilet Scheme and after a successful pilot are proposing to demolish the disused toilet block in the George Yard car park. The demolition of the building will improve the overall look of the area and create additional car parking.
The application for demolition consent has been submitted to the Council’s planning department and will be considered in due course.
