The wait is nearly over for new toilets in Woodley

Political parties clashed when the old toilets in the Headley Road carpark were closed down, and a petition was launched demanding the town council build new toilets.

At the time, Cllr Keith Baker, leader of the council, suggested money earned from the Sandford Park development could be better spent regenerating areas like Woodford Park, rather than funding a new toilet.

However, an independent survey was carried out across the town, and the vote came back in favour of new toilets.

Documents published today show Woodley Town Council has now assigned a contractor to draw up an official planning application for new toilets, which will be based at the southern end of the town-centre, near Waitrose.

Cllr Kay Gilder, who also chairs Woodley's over-50s forum, said: "I think this is very good news for Woodley.

"People at the forum have been asking for a long time when it's going to happen so I think they will be delighted to hear the planning application is being drawn up."

The plans will include a new site for bike racks, a bench and an information hub which will be forced to move if the toilets are installed.

A report published in council papers reads: "A planning application for the public toilet in the town centre is being prepared by Danfo, the Council’s contractor, and should be submitted soon.

"The application will include new sites for the bike racks, seat and public information pillar that will be displaced by the installation of the new toilet at the site at the south end of the centre.

"Subject to planning permission being given the bespoke semi-automatic toilet will then be commissioned. This has a lead in time of 10 weeks."

Cllr Baker added: "We might have our own views on it but we did the market research survey and it was clear cut.

"The planning application is imminent.

"We have contractors lined up and everything is ready as soon as we have planning permission."