New toilets are proposed for a popular stretch of beach in Shanklin — but the old ones will stay for now.
New pay-as-you-use toilets are planned for near the bottom of Shanklin Chine to replace the currently dilapidated toilets.
The new facilities, coloured to represent the seaside — sand yellow, marine blue sea and blue sky — would be sited opposite the others, which would then be permanently closed.
The Danfo-designed block would have 2 toilets — 1 accessible and 1 unisex — with 2 exterior cold water showers. The cost to use the new toilets will be 20p.
The existing conveniences are described in planning documents to be in very poor condition and beyond economic repair.
Planning documents also say the new modern, fit for purpose, community building has been designed to respond to the increasing number of visitors. The toilet block would also have a green living, sedum roof to blend in with the existing environment when walking down from the chine.
The approval of new toilets had been a controversial issue for Shanklin Town Council, with members arguing the decision-making process was unlawful and improper according to the town council’s financial regulations. Only 1 quote had been sought for the design of the toilets, who, later, was awarded to contract.
Speaking back in August last year, Councillor Mike Hailston said:
“When you are spending in excess of £133,000 plus VAT then I think you do have a responsibility to look for the best value. Well if you are only getting one quote, how can you tell if that is the best value? You cannot.”
The matter was clarified by the town mayor, Councillor Chris Quirk, that while seeking more than 1 quote could be done, the way the council had acted was legal.
To view the plans, 21/02459/FUL, you can visit the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 8th April.
Crooked councillors, except one, on shanklin town council only got one quote and would of kept quiet had councillor Mike Hailston not found out and let the public know.
They are taking the p@ss, Council Tax and everything else is going up.
Yet now you have to pay to have a p@ss
My guess is many Walls will be busy.
Form an orderly queue!!!!
2 toilets ,there will be a queue !!!!!
But when you pay your 20 p , you come out and hold the door for the next person and so on !!!!!
Not everyone does thesedays.
I have experienced people closing the door completely on the way out.
My guess is they were thinking, I had to pay 20p, so can you!
That’s selfish!!!!
Offer them 10p !!!!
I always hold the door if someone is waiting…
Or go in together ?
And because there is no urinal and the loo seat doesn’t lift up you have to sit on a well watered seat.1 unisex toilet, really does take the p*ss.
Hope they have a change machine nearby since we’re currently at a point where hardly anyone is using cash and shops won’t change it up for you. Luckily you’ve got an ocean to use instead
They earn most of there money from people who only have a £1 coin, no change given, when you got to go, you got to go.
Also why are some of these loos 40p and others 20p.
They do this in parts of Cornwall
Some of the cleanest public toilets iv ever seen
Well worth the 20p
They are cleaned quite a few times a day but then again its a different council that probably respect the people they work for
20 pence, have we got rid the the 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p? Charge too much and they won’t get used, bit like some of the empty buses you see around the Island. Rather charge less and have the facilities used and most will opt to go for a drink and use those premises toilets for free. One day the money grabbers will realise it is better to have a “full house” rather than an empty one.