New disabled loo for services

A Stirling service station looks set to be the latest site to create a specially equipped toilet for people with disabilities.

Moto Hospitality Ltd has been granted permission by Stirling Council planners to extend its motorway service station at Bannockburn interchange/Pirnhall roundabout, off junction 9 of the M80/M9, to create a bespoke Changing Place facility.

Last year The PEAK leisure centre opened its own £60,000 Changing Place loo.

According to PAMIS, the UK charity who lead the initiative, estimated equipment costs for a Changing Place toilet can vary but are in the region of between £12,000 and £17,000 including VAT, and can feature specialist changing, lifting, showering and toilet facilities.

Equipment costs, however, vary depending on the specific equipment chosen and building costs may need to be factored in if structural changes are needed within an existing building.

Before the opening of The PEAK facility, Stirling had only two recognised Changing Places locations: one at Blair Drummond Safari Park and another at the Macrobert Arts Centre.

Advocates of the specialist facilities say they are essential for over 240,000 disabled people in the UK and their families and carers, but also that they reap benefits for businesses as they encourage people with disabilities to visit an area’s shops and businesses for longer.

In their decision on the Moto application, council planners said: “The service station hosts a number of retailers and cafes/ restaurants which are all largely contained within the main service building.

The report adds: “The proposed extension is modest in height, scale and proportions with a floor area of 13.95sqm (3.1m wide x 4.5m length).”