Work on transforming Lymington Town Quay toilets to start in new year
WORK is due to start in early January on refurbishing the toilets at Lymington quay following the abandonment of a controversial £1.2m replacement.
The simpler spruce-up follows New Forest District Council dropping plans to demolish the existing block to make way for a modern, glass-fronted building with a café and roof terrace.
The proposed transformation caused a huge backlash from residents, with some branding it “ugly” and “a ghastly carbuncle”. One said it was reminiscent of a wartime bunker.
The toilet block is now only being refurbished by NFDC using “existing fixtures and fittings where possible”, plus new energy-efficient boilers for hot water.
An accessible toilet will be created and a shower room will be given a makeover.
The block will remain open over Christmas and new year, and when unavailable a sign will advise where the nearest alternative.
At some stages a small number of long-stay car parking spaces will be out of use.
NFDC said the contractors would follow a “sustainable procurement policy” of recyclable packaging and sourcing Fairtrade and environmentally friendly products.
The refurbishment is expected to be completed in time for the Easter holidays.
As reported in the A&T, the revamp is on a much smaller scale to the scheme that was dropped in July 2021 after a planning application had been submitted.
It would have delivered a roof terrace above the new shower and toilet block, including more “modern” facilities to attract more sailors to Lymington's marina, plus a refreshments counter.
But NFDC said after giving up on the scheme: “It is recognised that it will not be possible to implement major design changes without impacting on what is already a challenging project to be delivered in the required timescale.
"Further delays could result in a detrimental impact on the building construction programme with the likelihood of construction continuing beyond April 2022 with the resultant effect on the local economy or significantly being delayed by a further year."