CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a toilet block could be scrapped after the facility won a temporary reprieve.

Craig Robinson

CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a toilet block could be scrapped after the facility won a temporary reprieve.

Suffolk Coastal District Council had said it would close the public convenience in Theatre Street, Woodbridge, because it claimed it was under-used and would need a significant investment to bring it up to standard.

But the plans proved unpopular because of fears it would be detrimental to that area of town and could cause problems on busy days - such as remembrance Sunday and the annual carol service.

At a meeting of Suffolk Coastal's Community Customers and Partners Scrutiny Committee on Thursday it was agreed to refer the matter back to councillors Sherrie Green and Robert Whiting, asking them to reconsider their original decision.

Woodbridge town and district councillor Cliff Cocker asked for the issue to be looked at again because he believed there had not been enough discussion.

Last night he said: “I'm very pleased because I don't think the closure was given sufficient consideration. Now the plans will be reconsidered. Hopefully we can stop them from being closed and they will get a reprieve.”

At a meeting of Woodbridge Town Council earlier this month members agreed to look at the possibility of taking over responsibility for the public convenience - subject to satisfactory negotiations.

Mr Cocker also thanked his fellow district councillors - Les Binns, Diana Ball and Martin Grimwood, who represents Kesgrave West but lives in Woodbridge - and the town clerk, for supporting him at Thursday's meeting.

If the block was to close Suffolk Coastal want to try and introduce a community toilet scheme in nearby Market Hill where pubs, restaurants and shops would receive a fee if they allowed members of the public to use their facilities free of charge.

Commenting on the meeting a spokesman said: “There were general concerns about how important the toilets are when there are events held at Market Hill and about the distance to the council's nearest public toilets.”