Bid to keep last remaining council-run public toilets in Sleaford open

RESIDENTS in Sleaford are rallying behind a campaign to keep the town's last remaining council-run public toilets open.

Brian Watson launched an online petition to save Money's Yard toilets following strong opposition in the town to their proposed closure.

Within a day of posting the e-petition online, 78 campaigners had pledged their support.

Mr Watson said: "Stop the closure of Money's Yard public toilets in Sleaford. Many people lead restricted lives because they cannot rely on access to a public toilet in the places and at the times required.

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"There are rarely sufficient toilets in our towns anyway. Please don't let North Kesteven District Council close these public toilets. We need people to vote.

"I strongly believe this is a bad step for the people of Sleaford and surrounding villages who come into town and need to use the amenities. People wanting to use the toilets will be directed across a busy road to The National Centre For Craft And Design."

The final decision on whether the toilets will be closed will form part of North Kesteven District Council's plans to regenerate the area.

Sleaford resident David Birks also opposes the decision to close the toilets and said: "In view of the Masterplan's intentions to dramatically increase the Sleaford housing stock and, by implication, that's going to expand the population here thousand-fold.

"How then, in a supposedly civilised society, can NKDC justify their determined intention to demolish the sole dedicated toilets at Moneys Yard?

"It makes no sense no matter which way you examine it. But then excepting their pet superstore consortium project, they're not planning commercial infrastructure with diversified employment, other than minimum wage opportunities either.

"It's just more moribund thinking from what appears to be a slavish group of ideologues all pandering to one executive mandate."

The application to close the toilets has been out for public consultation since November and a number of representations have been made to the council.

Deputy chief executive Alan Thomas said: "We always welcome and consider all forms of representation made on a planning application and it will be no different in the case of the proposal to demolish the public conveniences in Money's Yard.

"All comments received will be reported to the Planning Committee and will be taken into account when the application is presented for formal consideration.

"There was also scope for all NKDC Members to call in the principle of closure and demolition when it was made by the executive board in September, for further scrutiny and challenge before it reached application stage.

"Because a decision will have to be made on the application shortly, in keeping with Government guidance on processing planning applications, if supporters of the e-petition wish for it to be taken into consideration, it will have to be presented more immediately than appears to be intended."

To sign the petition, visit http: //epetitions.direct.gov.uk/pet itions/26239