A CLOSED public toilet in Dunster is the latest building in West Somerset to become a "community asset" amid warnings the listing would not help reopen the convenience.

West Somerset district councillors questioned why Dunster Parish Council had decided to use the legislation to list the toilets and said it was an unnecessary and costly route to take.

Finance lead member and deputy leader Cllr Kate Kravis said she agreed the toilets were an asset, but said parish councillors would have been better to talk to the district council rather than applying for a community asset listing.

Speaking at last week's cabinet meeting, Cllr Andrew Hadley said it was "barmy" to list the toilets as the district council owned them and would be only too happy for someone else to run them on its behalf.

"The only reason for listing is if someone wants to buy it," he said.

Cllr Martin Dewdney added: "I haven't heard anything about anyone wanting to pay for the running of them."

Councillors said it would cost the authority money to list them, while the listing would have no impact on the decision taken last year to close them.

But Dunster parish councillor Biddy Bale was adamant the Church Street toilets were an important facility in the village.

She told the meeting they were in a prime location and the parish council was worried the building could be sold and converted into a holiday let.

"Does Dunster Parish Council intend to run the toilets? If so, then they should talk to lead member Cllr Karen Mills.

"Listing them won't help. It will cost us money and it won't keep them open," Cllr Doug Ross said.

The aim of listing buildings as community assets is to try and prevent them being lost to development.

Under the legislation, any parish council or community group with more than 21 members can nominate land or buildings as "assets of community value".

Community assets can include pubs, village halls, shops and recreation grounds, but cannot include properties deemed to be "wholly residential".

The aim is mainly to prevent local pubs and businesses from being turned into housing.

Cabinet members were told the listing would also not entitle the parish council to have "first refusal" to take over the running of the toilets in the future.