A FEASIBILITY study is to be carried out on plans to improve toilet provision in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens.

Town councillors have asked an architect to look at how a storm shelter could be turned into a men’s and ladies’ block and the nearby men’s toilets could be converted as an accessible facility.

Councillors acknowledged concerns over the shelter’s limited size, potential heritage implications of any work in the six-acre gardens which is in a conservation area and saw its centenary this year, and the need for stakeholder consultation and proper planning.

They were told the architect would liaise with relevant stakeholders to assess the feasibility and viability of the project and prepare a design which would be put to a council meeting.

Town clerk Ben Parker said responsibility for public toilets in Minehead had passed to the council in 2015, at which time existing toilets were in a ‘very poor condition’.

Mr Parker said: “Since then, the town council has invested considerable funds to bring facilities up to a much higher standard through a programme of refurbishments.

“The toilets within Blenheim Gardens were originally located in separate male and female toilet blocks at opposite ends of the gardens.

“Upon Minehead Town Council taking the service over, the former gents’ block was closed and a single unisex facility was created in the location of the former ladies’ toilets.

“Although this approach was practical at the time, it has since created several operational issues.”

Mr Parker said there were now only two available cubicles for the entire gardens, neither of which was accessible.

The ‘tucked away location’ of the toilets meant they were prone to anti-social behaviour and misuse, often leading to lengthy closures and costly repairs.

Mr Parker said the council had a £133,000 fund for refurbishing toilets, but, unlike previous refurbishments where a like for like approach was appropriate, the layout in Blenheim Gardens would not address the current challenges.

He said ‘significant investment’ was needed because of the condition of toilets in the gardens, so there was an opportunity not only to refurbish but also to rethink the provision to better meet current and future needs.

Mr Parker said: “Importantly, now that the town council has formally taken on the management of the gardens through the devolution process, the scope of potential solutions has broadened.

“We are no longer restricted to working within the footprint of the existing toilet blocks, alternative locations and configurations can be explored to achieve the best outcome for users.

“One option under consideration is the repurposing of the storm shelter located on the northern boundary of the gardens.

“This shelter has suffered from years of under-maintenance and anti-social behaviour, and its internal condition is poor.

“Additionally, changes in user behaviour have made such structures increasingly problematic in public settings.”

Mr Parker said converting the storm shelter could provide modern toilet facilities in a more visible and accessible location, reducing anti-social behaviour and making it easier for visitors unfamiliar with the gardens to find.