by Alan Quick

A PLANNING application has been submitted to Mid Devon District Council for the conversion of the former public toilets at St Lawrence Green in Crediton into a food outlet/kiosk.

The application has been made by Andy Gray of M C Kelly Limited, Elston Farm, Copplestone, who said the only outward change to the appearance of the building would be to cut a serving hatch and protect the opening with shutters.

With the planning document submission, he says: “We would obviously paint and improve the state of repair of the building.”

The application says it would be offering cooked food, adding that a serving window would be in the west side.

Mid Devon District Council’s Capital Strategy Asset Management Group proposed last year that the disused public toilets, which have been closed for two years, be demolished.

Mike Summerton, who formerly lived in the town, launched a campaign to try to save the building from demolition and suggested alternative uses.

The toilets were closed by Mid Devon District Council due to funding issues and the poor state of the toilets.

MDDC and Crediton Town Council both explored ways to fund re-opening 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 was expected to take place in January last year but was 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 would include a hardstanding and a bench.

Crediton Town Council said it did not have the finances to pay to keep the toilets open, adding that it was already contributing thousands of pounds annually to keep other existing toilets open in the town.

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

Councillor John Daw, former chairman, Mid Devon District Council, when in office, previously said that the toilets should be retained for local residents and visitors.

Crediton Town Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, February 20, raised no objection to the conversion of the closed public toilets at The Green into a food outlet/kiosk, keeping one cubicle as a public toilet.

There was some concern as to whether the public toilet would remain open, but it was felt that this would be unenforceable. 

Plans for the former public toilet block (18/00088/FULL) can be viewed on the Mid Devon District Council website: www.middevon.gov.uk .

• What do you think about the plan to convert the former toilet block at St Lawrence Green into a food outlet?

Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers. Write a letter to The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email your letter to: [email protected] .