North Ayrshire Council say public toilet plans can aid improvement

It comes only days after it was revealed that the local government are considering the closure of a number of public conveniences.

Amongst those which may be shut down are the facilities at The Braes in Saltcoats - the only remaining council-owned loos in the Three Towns.

READ MORE: Last council loos in the Three Towns face closure in shock cost-cutting move

A report, which will come before the cabinet next week, asks councillors to approve a "two month period of community engagement" for the conveniences in a bid to identify interest in a community asset transfer.

If agreed, that engagement will start next month. If there's no interest, the facility will shut in April.

However, councillors have maintained that this is a positive step in a bid to aid the development of its "most important public toilets."

They say this improvement will come through the "creative partnership working with community organisations" they are seeking.

The council exemplified the possibilities using this channel by referring to the - as of yet incomplete - Ardrossan South Beach hub.

The initiative began when Ardrossan Community Development Trust took on the public convenience in a community asset transfer with plans to create a café and community hub. The work is set to be completed by March.

This work was made possible due to the grant funding available to the development trust that would not be afforded to the council.

North Ayrshire Council have said they would work alongside community groups looking to replicate this model elsewhere in the area.

The community groups would have to take on ownership of the conveniences, as well as responsibility for them.

Similar plans already look set to take place at the Melbourne Gardens facility, in Saltcoats, which was closed in November 2021 following a fire.

The council is continuing to work with Inspiring Scotland and community partners to achieve an upgraded facility "which meets local community aspirations for the shorefront."

Councillor Alan Hill commented: “We have witnessed a fantastic success story at Ardrossan South Beach, where Ardrossan Community Development Trust have taken ownership of the public conveniences and have exciting plans to transform it into a fantastic facility.

"Indeed on Cumbrae, Arran and in Irvine, local community groups have stepped forward to take responsibility for the public toilets and have done a fantastic job.

"By considering the use of these facilities, community organisations may be able to progress some of their own aspirations in relation to locality priorities.

"We would be delighted to hear from any community groups who have ideas about how through partnership working they can be improved, regenerated or re-purposed and we will provide the relevant support to assist them in developing their proposals."