'Toilet envy' - Much-need refurbishment of eight public loos across Chichester district given the go-ahead

The tongue-in-cheek titbit was shared during a meeting of Chichester District Council’s cabinet, where the much-needed refurbishment of eight public loos across the district was given the go-ahead.

During the meeting on Tuesday (June 10), members approved a Project Initiation Document (PID), laying out the whys and wheres of the scheme.

It follows the demolition and rebuilding of the old toilet block in Tower Street to something much more accessible and easier on the eye.

John Cross cabinet member for culture, sport & place, said: “There is a bit of toilet envy going on with other district councils because our Tower Street toilets have been given a five-star rating on Google and other district councils want the same!”

The soon-to-be better looking toilets are in Bracklesham Bay, Bracklesham; Pound Road car park, Petworth; Lifeboat Way, Selsey; Northgate car park, Chichester; Avenue de Chartres car park, Chichester; Hillfield Road, Selsey; Kingfisher Parade, East Wittering; and Marine Drive, West Wittering.

The new Tower Street loos, which opened earlier this month, cost more than £200,000. The cost of the latest scheme has not yet been revealed but will be made up of money from the Asset Replacement Fund and from reserves. Both will need permission from the full council.

The council does not legally have to provided public toilets, but leader Adrian Moss said they were important to residents, adding that the Tower Street project had been ‘a triumph’.

Officers will now look for a contractor to carry out the work, which will be phased approach over the next two years.