Norfolk council to fully or partially shut 40pc of loos

North Norfolk District Council is considering fully or partially closing 40pc of its toilets in an effort to plug a growing deficit of £1.3m.

This includes the only public convenience left in Stalham. Other sites earmarked to lose facilities include Cromer, Sheringham, Wells, Weybourne, Potter Heigham and Hickling. 

Critics worry about the repercussions of such a move, which could leave hikers travelling on the Norfolk coastal path at risk of getting caught short due to lengthy distances between toilets. 

But Tim Adams, leader of the liberal Democrat-controlled authority, has warned the closures are vital to help balance the books.

North Norfolk councillors celebrate the opening of Weybourne's environmentally-friendly public toilets in 2021 (Image: NNDC)

TOILET TERMINATIONS

Under the plans, 14 of the 36 toilets NNDC manage will be shut completely or face closures over the winter period.

Toilets that could close forever include those in Stalham, Potter Heigham and Weybourne.

The council also intends to stop operating the West Runton, Walsingham and Hickling toilets, but hopes it will be able to transfer the management of them to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust or local businesses.

Eight toilets are due to be shut over the winter months, when there is less tourist footfall.

Stalham's only public toilet could shut as part of the plans (Image: Newsquest)

These seasonal closures will affect two facilities in Cromer, on West Prom and Cardogan Road.

Ludham Bridge, Bacton, Womack Staithe, Beach Road in Wells, Cart Gap and East Prom in Sheringham will also lose loos in the winter. 

The council hopes the closures will raise about £46,000 in savings.

COUNCIL CAUGHT SHORT

While public toilets are important facilities, the council has said it is a "discretionary service" and there is no legal obligation to provide them.

Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council (Image: North Norfolk Council)

At a cabinet meeting this week, Mr Adams said the move was a necessary part of its efforts to make savings to plug a £1.3m gap in its finances.

"In a perfect world, we would not be making these decisions," he said.

"But in some cases, we are either operating them for the benefit of other businesses or usage has got low and it is no longer suiting the needs of the community."

Mr Adams went on to justify the closure of Weybourne's toilet, which comes just three years after it opened to great fanfare, stating ongoing issues there that have left it swamped by campervan waste.

Weybourne's eco-toilet, which was opened in 2021 (Image: Newsquest)

The eco-toilets are not connected to the main sewer system, leaving them frequently overloaded.

"It is pretty oppressive what staff have to go through," he added.

Stalham's toilet is to close due to it being in an inappropriate position, and the council has said it is seeking to build a new one more centrally in the town.

But critics are unimpressed about the plans.

'WE NEED A BETTER SOLUTION'

Members of the Conservative group at NNDC said they appreciated the funding pressures the council faced but felt alternative solutions should be sought for some of the planned closures.

Stalham district councillors Kevin Bayes (L) and Matthew Taylor (R) outside St Mary's Church (Image: Newsquest)

Matthew Taylor, councillor for Stalham, wanted the closure of the town's toilet to be deferred until concrete plans were in place to either replace it or to explore Stalham Town Council taking over its management.

"I do not want to be left as the only town without a public toilet.

"Street events bring thousands and thousands of people to the town. Closing the only facility will put more pressure on businesses."

Dr Victoria Holliday, Conservative councillor for Coastal ward, which covers Weybourne, worried shutting toilets there would mean the hundreds of thousands of hikers that walk the coastal path every year could face a long journey before finding a toilet.

A stretch of the Norfolk Coastal Path (Image: Newsquest)

It would mean walkers travelling west from Sheringham would have to walk for about 15km before they reached the next public toilet in Blakeney.

"This would be an awfully long distance," she said. "There must be a better solution."

Dr Victoria Holliday, councillor for coastal ward at NNDC (Image: NNDC)

At the meeting, members of the cabinet voted to explore full and winter closures of the toilets identified. 

Members also hope officers will be able to negotiate with town and parish councils to see if they would be willing to manage the facilities in their place.

A final decision on the closures will be made at a later date.