‘Carbuncle’ toilet to be sold as part of revamp
Loos are ‘magnet for undesirables’
A PUBLIC toilet block described as a 'carbuncle' that attracts 'undesirables' will be sold off as part of a town centre redevelopment.
The Trinity Street public conveniences in Fareham have not been open for several years and now the borough council has agreed to sell them to Churchill Retirement.
The company has already purchased the next-door former magistrates' court building to create accommodation.
The old courthouse has previously been labelled as ‘the most hideous building in Fareham’ with the toilets being described as a ‘carbuncle’ by councillors.
The council's executive leader Councillor Seán Woodward said: ‘I do remember opening Trinity Street public conveniences when they were refurbished, that was some time now in the ’80s.
‘They have been closed for a number of years, there’s a long term problem there with antisocial behaviour.’
Cllr Katrina Trott was ‘delighted’ by the decision.
‘As far as I'm concerned the sooner the development of this eyesore goes ahead the better,' she said.
‘It is a carbuncle on the face of Trinity street, I think we can all agree it is horrible.’
Cllr Trevor Cartwright added: ‘These particular toilets in the past have caused huge problems with anti-social behaviour, for some reason they seem to be a magnet for the slightly undesirables.’
A spokesperson from Churchill Retirement confirmed they had secured the site, saying: ‘Homes England have been granted outline approval for the residential use of the site.
'We will soon submit a reserved matters application in line with the approved outline scheme to deliver an attractive, highquality development for the over 60s, where apartment buyers will be able to live independently with the benefits of a communal owners’ lounge, a guest suite, a lodge manager, and a 24-hour emergency call alarm service.’