The temporary toilets on the Den in Teignmouth will remain in place until permanent facilities are built following a dramatic u-turn by Teignbridge District Council

Planning permission for the portakabin toilets was due to expire at the end of March. Teignbridge District Council had indicated in February that it would not be extending the temporary planning for the site.

However, Teignmouth mayor, Cate Williams, and the town clerk, Iain Wedlake, met with Teignbridge District Council earlier this week, to discuss the matter and received confirmation that the temporary facilities will now remain until new toilets are built.

Many residents were horrified at the prospect of losing toilet facilities on the Den and a petition requesting that Teignbridge extend the planning permission for the temporary loos attracted 1,743 signatures in just two weeks.

As well as providing relief for visitors to the beach, promenade and playpark, the toilets are well-used by over 400 parkrunners and their supporters every Saturday.

Alison Ford, who organised the petition, which she handed to District Councillors Peter Williams and Joan Atkins and MP Martin Wrigley on March 8, welcomed the decision. This is ‘fantastic news for all the residents and visitors. Thanks to all involved with sorting this issue out,’ she said.

Teignmouth Town Council hopes that the permanent toilet block, which will be built on the site of the former aquarium near the pier, will be completed in August or September, subject to the finalisation of lease agreements with Teignbridge District Council.

At an extraordinary town council meeting on Thursday (March 27), mayor Cate Williams said ‘we are working very hard behind the scenes to get these toilets’.

A contract for the construction of the Den toilets as well as new facilities in the East Cliff car park, the Point car park, Quay Road and Lower Brook Street needs to be signed in the next three weeks, once 60-year leases with Teignbridge District Council have been agreed.

‘We have the leases, but we’re not happy with some of the content,’ explained Teignmouth mayor Cate Williams.

Teignmouth Town Council took over the management and operation of the toilets in the town from Teignbridge District Council in November 2014. The toilets on Lower Brook Street were acquired through a freehold transfer, but the other toilets are subject to lease agreements.

The extraordinary town council meeting where the toilets project was discussed was called by councillors David Cox, Penny Lloyd, Mike Jackman, Vanda Rudge and Daniel Comer. Among the resolutions proposed at the meeting, the councillors wanted to only continue with the Den toilets building project and to put a hold on the construction of the other toilets and to set up a working party to explore other options, such as the provision of continental ‘Aires’ for camper vans in the East Cliff car park.

‘We don’t want to delay the toilets but we’re looking for the best value for the people of Teignmouth,’ explained Councillor David Cox. ‘The public are concerned about the costs and delays,’ added Councillor Penny Lloyd.

However, after town clerk Ian Wedlake confirmed that pulling the other toilets from the agreement would jeopardise the whole contract and risk further delays, Councillor David Cox reluctantly withdrew his proposal.