GREEN LIGHT GIVEN FOR NEW MODULAR TOILETS AT COMPTON

New toilets at one of the Isle of Wight’s most visited beaches, Compton, have been given the go-ahead. The National Trust will now be able to build new, modern, accessible toilets at its Hanover Point car park, at Compton Bay after the Isle of Wight Council granted permission last week. The plans had been in the making for nearly a year but revisions were made last month to overcome some of the concerns raised. It included reducing the size of the toilet block and storage building, on the Military Road, and removing the picnic benches. Council planning officers said the proposal now offers a balanced approach to improving the visitor experience as well as being mindful of the sensitive ecological and environmental designations and the slipping coastlines. The new toilets will be slightly to the west of the current toilets so the facilities could be developed without having to close the existing ones. The current facilities are said to be at the end of their maintainable life. The toilets will meet the needs of all people with a disability and include a fold-down changing bed, battery-operated mobile hoist and access to a warm wash-down space. Improvement works to the car park have also been approved which will reconfigure the layout to utilise spaces more effectively, and provide disabled spaces and pedestrian links across the site. Height restriction barriers will also be installed to prevent larger vehicles from using the car park and any overnight parking. Permission was granted but subject to 11 conditions including the existing block must be demolished within 3 months of the 1st use of the replacement facilities. The new toilet blocks will be a modular design so it can be dismantled and moved easily when it is necessary due to coastal erosion, having a limited impact on the ground and no trace when removed. Planning agents ERMC have said it is thought the land on which the car park and the toilets currently sit will have vanished in 25 years, due to coastal erosion.