Relocation plans for toilet block on hold

Still a possibility? The area to the rear of Boots' store could be a new site to replace the Money's Yard toilet block. EMN-200626-145944001

In December the council began discussions with the building’s owners about a possible move.

The block is currently maintained by the Town Council on an annual lease from its owners North Kesteven District Council. There had been suggestions that a plot of land behind Boots may become available for a smaller, modern, cheaper to run building. But this could cost £100,00 to construct.

Chairman of the town council, Coun Anthony Brand said they took over the running when NKDC wanted to close them. He said: “They were then and continue to be grossly out of date and problematic and little life left in them.

“That is why last year I explored with NKDC the possibility of a modern toilet block in association with the Heart of Sleaford project.”

This project, including a cinema, has been delayed by the coronavirus situation, as have discussions on the toilets.

Coun Brand said the space behind Boots may not be practical, but he said they would see what opens up with the Heart of Sleaford scheme with possible scope to incorporate public toilets in the future development.

As for the existing toilets, they sh9ould be reopened soon, he said: “I have sought and gained advice from NKDC’s Environmental Services about the safe opening of toilets.”

They will require a day for the system to be flushed through to remove possibilities of legionnaire’s disease, but he said the town council will need to look closely at its role as custodians of the toilet block due to finances.