Spending a few pennies will enable Grantown public toilets to reopen

A community group is bidding to take over public toilets in Grantown axed by Highland Council and return them into use along with new waste disposal facilities for motorhomes.

The Grantown Initiative has submitted a community asset transfer request for Burnfield public toilets and part of the car park at the north end of the town.

Council officials are recommending approval of the application.

They have said that the move will bring wider benefits to the community and point out that the Grantown Initiative has a strong track record of delivery.

If approved, the group will be able to buy the toilet block for just £1.

It is expected that it will cost in the region of £22,000 to modernise the toilets and to provide grey and blue waste disposal for motorhomes on adjacent land as part of the deal.

Funding proposals have been put in place with the Berryburn wind farm community fund organisers amongst others indicating their support for the project.

Karen Derrick, treasurer of Grantown Initiative, said: “The toilets closed in 2018 but since then there have been constant requests from community, businesses and visitors to reopen them.

“They are well located for people visiting The Square as well as attending the events which the town puts on every year such as Hogmanay in the Square, Grantown Does Christmas and Thunder in the Glens.”

She said the Grantown Initiative has been sourcing grants to fund a complete internal upgrade of the facilities.

Ms Derrick said: “Once approval is hopefully given by local Highland councillors next Tuesday and the title legally transferred across to the group, to hold on behalf of the community, work will start on a complete refurbishment to the whole block.

“This will include new sanitary ware, tiling and fittings, to make them an asset that the town can be really proud of.

“There will be facilities for motorhomes with the provision of a water supply and blue and grey water waste disposal points. All being well, the refurbishment will be straightforward, including fixing the collapsed drain just outside the block.

“We are keen for the block to be open for the new visitor season in the spring at the latest – and before then if at all possible.”

Members of Highland Council’s Badenoch and Strathspey area committee are being asked when they meet on Tuesday to agree to the sale of Burnfield public toilets with a footprint of approximately 210 square metres of land to Grantown Initiative for £1.

Ewen McIntosh, Highland Council’s localism and engagement co-ordinator, has recommended approval and said there is strong community support. He said any sale of the toilet block could bring in £7000 but the wider community benefit outweighed this.

He states: “Reinstatement of public conveniences in the town centre and development of tourist infrastructure show clear benefits to not only the local economy but also social and environmental wellbeing – by alleviating some of the pressures brought to the area by large numbers of visitors and large events.”

Mr McIntosh said alternative toilet facilities do exist but are not centrally located. A part-time cleaner would be employed.

There is a right of pre-emption to Seafield Estates and the sale is conditional on this not being taken up.

Income will come from donations for use of the toilets, as well as contributions from events and businesses, the council’s comfort scheme and motorhome services.

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