Plans to replace public toilets at Barton beach unanimously approved by New Forest District Council

TWO years after plans were defeated to axe run-down toilets at Barton beach, a brand new set of conveniences has been unanimously approved by New Forest District Council.

The application by NFDC, which owns the facilites, sought permission to demolish the existing facility on the undercliff, south of Marine Drive East, and build a modern, slightly larger, block in its place.

Welcoming the plans, Cllr Barry Rickman told a meeting of the council’s planning committee: “This is long, long overdue that this improvement was put in place for the beach huts, the public – everybody.”

As reported in the A&T, a public outcry, including a 2,700-name petition, led NFDC to U-turn in March 2021 on a previous decision to demolish the block.

It had been closed at the start of the first lockdown and was then deemed “unviable” to maintain.

A pre-made portacabin unit had been installed in 2009 for temporary use and the Covid-19 pandemic paused plans to replace it in 2020.

The same U-turn was made for toilets at Calshot beach after a 4,000-name petition, and NFDC vowed to invest £9,000 in improving both blocks.

The new Barton facilities were conceived as a series of traditional beach huts with front gables to be in keeping with the location.

It will feature timber-effect weatherboard cladding, solar panels and stainless steel doors.

There will be three toilets, as well as one for disabled people, baby change facilities and an enhanced disabled family room, plus a water bottle filling station and external shower.

The planning application noted the existing facilities were “in a poor state of repair and not befitting of their location by the coast”.

There were no letters of support or objection from members of the public and New Milton Town Council recommended approval.