Accessible toilets with changing facilities and a shower are planned for two parks in Brighton and Hove.
The changing places toilets will be installed on concrete bases in St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove, and Preston Park, Brighton, if plans are approved.
The possibility of vandalism has been considered in the designs, which feature transparent anti-graffiti paint on the brickwork, a pitched roof to discourage trespassing and skylight windows to avoid smashed glass.
The modular buildings would be partially constructed off-site to avoid noisy works in the busy parks.
A “design and access statement” was submitted as part of the planning application for the St Ann’s Well Gardens toilet.
It said: “The project team have consulted with local Friends Of groups as well as local businesses on the proposals.
“Where possible, suggestions and ideas from local stakeholders have been incorporated into the design – this has been possible in some respects but not in all respects.
“The project team attempted to include suggestions and form a pragmatic middle ground which takes into account local residents’ views but which ensures level access, compliant facilities are provided.”
The new toilet in Preston Park is to be sited next to existing public toilets by the Rotunda Café area in the south of the park.
For this project, two relatively new trees would be relocated in the park and the plans include a tarmac access path to the block.
Five public comments objecting to the proposed toilet in Preston Park have been sent to Brighton and Hove City Council in response to the planning application.
They said that the block would be out of keeping and should be located more centrally in the park.
In St Ann’s Well Gardens, the plans proposed siting the Changing Places building close to the park’s Garden Café, Little Forest Nursery and other public toilets.
The planning application said that this location would allow users with profound physical and/or learning disabilities, who have specific needs that standard disabled toilets do not cater for, to experience the park as other members of the public do.
The Changing Places toilets have a pull-out privacy screen between a shower and changing table as well as plenty of manoeuvring room for those using motorised wheelchairs.
To see the full planning applications, click here and search for BH2023/03294 for St Ann’s Well Gardens and search for BH2023/03311 for Preston Park.
Not before time. Some of us have medical or age conditions that require easy access to toilets.
Good news !
Brighton’s lack of toilets are awful and the
Pavilion Gardens one is just never open .. when it is it’s an evil smelling dirty place
I’ve been to Prague recently where there are toilets everywhere with human attendants , defibrillators and help
How do they do that ? Simply by charging about 10 p which keeps out criminals and keeps them clean and welcoming . I’m sure we’d all pay that wouldn’t we ?
Yes I would.
That’s how the term “spending a penny” came about because public loos charged 1p to use the facility.
It’s an excellent common sense suggestion to charge perhaps 20p and use the money to pay an attendant.
Not offering numerous well placed toilets denies catering for the basic needs of human beings.
Everyone has to eat and drink to live thus everyone needs a loo!
My only concern is for people on such low incomes who may well not be able to afford 20p. Peehaps they could show the attendant proof of claiming benefits?
I am unconvinced the measures taken to prevent vandalism go far enough.
Anti-graffiti paints are undoubtedly effective in deterring and combating graffiti, but like any solution, they come with their share of downsides. Cost can be a concern, as these paints are generally more expensive than traditional options, and regular maintenance is often needed to sustain their effectiveness in high-traffic areas. Moreover, determined vandals might find ways to overcome these coatings, and certain types of graffiti may not be easily prevented or removed.
Teand to see your view. It is an area where drug use and vandals are prevalent and short of electric fences and grills I think it inevitable and it is an area not covered by CCTV .
As a parent of a doubly incontinent son with Special Needs, I’m truly grateful and hope the plans are approved.
I often visit Brigton y to wander round the city centre, & would pay to use toilets, often only found in cafes, M&S, Churchill Square etc. The ones in the park near the Pavillion are closed, those in Norton Road car park only open weekends. My late husband moaned about lack of toilet facilities, when we visited Brighton. Lets hope new toilet/shower facilities help everyone needing them, without them being vandalised, or misused.
Please can we have some public toilets at the pavilion gardens. There is just nowhere to go !!