TROWBRIDGE Town Council has submitted plans to build a new modular toilet block in the town park that could be open for use by the summer.

For the past five years, residents and some Conservative councillors have called for new toilets to be installed after the previous toilets were demolished in 2019.

Councillors voted 8-1 in September 2020 to install new toilets following criticism about the lack of public facilities in the town park.

Trowbridge Town Council leader Cllr Stewart Palmen welcomed the application, saying he hopes the new block will be open by the summer.

“It has all been budgeted for as part of the improvements we are making to the town park,” he said.

Cllr Antonio Piazza, who has campaigned for new toilets in the park, said: "After years of campaigning, it is great to finally see a planning application for new park public toilets live on the Wiltshire Council Planning Portal. 

"This is a watershed moment, especially since the earlier facilities were illegally demolished, adjacent to where the existing flats are currently located.

"This planning application has now been validated and is open for public comments. It is vital that we, as residents of the park, provide our support and feedback on the portal.

"Whether you're a parent who's felt the lack of facilities when visiting with children, someone who needs accessible amenities due to a disability, or an individual that simply enjoys the park regularly, this development impacts us all.

"The absence of such basic facilities is keenly felt amongst the most vulnerable in our community, and your input could greatly influence the decision to move forward.

"I encourage you to review the plans and express your views on the Wiltshire Council website under the planning applications section."

The proposed new £89,500 timber-clad three-unit toilet block will be located in the centre of the park close to the tennis courts and refreshment kiosk.

Wiltshire Times: The designs for the proposed new toilets in Trowbridge town park.The designs for the proposed new toilets in Trowbridge town park. (Image: Trowbridge Town Council)

One of the three units would be accessible for use by people with disabilities. There will also be a store for cleaning materials.

Plans were submitted to Wiltshire Council on April 10 and the deadline for consultation is May 20.

The council is expected to make a decision by June 5 after which the toilets will be installed if the plans are approved.

To comment on the application click here.