by Alan Quick

A CREDITON man has launched a campaign to try to save a former toilet block in Crediton from demolition.

Mid Devon District Council’s Capital Strategy Asset Management Group approved some months ago that it wants to demolish the closed public toilets at St Lawrence Green.

Mike Summerton, who lives in the town, is now trying to save the building from demolition and is suggesting alternative uses and has begun to look at funding streams to keep the building.

The toilets were closed last year due to funding issues and the poor state of the toilets.

MDDC and Crediton Town Council both explored ways to fund reopening the conveniences by writing to surrounding parishes and local bus companies, however sufficient funding had not been offered to retain the facilities and costs are being incurred by standing charges.

The demolition works were expected to take place in January but were delayed after local district councillors asked if an alternative use could be found for the building.

MDDC had proposed to return the land to public open space that will include a hardstanding and a bench.

Crediton Town Council is contributing thousands of pounds annually to keep other existing toilets open in the town.

The town council is not in favour of keeping the toilets.

Alternative use suggestions have included as a storage facility, a cafe, emergency accommodation, for a man-in-shed project, workshop, craft centre or artist studio.

• Should the former toilet block at St Lawrence Green be saved from demolition?

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