THE future of the public toilets at Trebarwith Strand looks bright, thanks to lobbying by a local councillor and the formation of a new Community Interest Company.

The Post reported in November that residents and local businesses had raised concerns after the decision was made to close the public toilet facilities at Trebarwith Strand, as Tintagel Parish Council surrendered the lease due to high maintenance costs.

The decision was criticised, claiming public toilets are needed for an area which receives flocks of visitors in the tourist season, with further concerns that the closure could result in people using ‘derelict garages’ when needing the toilet.

Cornwall Councillor for the Tintagel division, Barry Jordan, has been lobbying Cornwall Council to open the toilets for the community, and told the Post more about his progress since the autumn closure.

He said: “I’m very surprised — we have achieved more now than we did in two and a half years to get the toilets open. I’ve had three meetings with representatives from Cornwall Council and have also been interviewed at Trebarwith for Spotlight.”

Cllr Jordan has said he will be following the matter up with Tintagel Parish Council, which previously said it did not have the funds to run the toilets any longer, but has since raised its financial precept by 9.5%, with no provision being made for the Trebarwith toilets in the budget. The council also states in the minutes of its December 4 meeting that it will reduce the number of toilets being open to the public in 2020, to help alleviate some costs to the council.

“We’ve come on leaps and bounds,” Cllr Jordan said. “Cornwall Council is now going to get a quote for maintenance that needs to be done (on the toilets). We also have a CIC (Community Interest Company) which is going to run it.

“The hot water is going to be taken out and cold water is to be put in. The existing toilets will be replaced with new ones and we will also be getting proper doors put in, as well as a new alarm system, so the toilets are going to be completely renovated. It’s looking good and it’s a positive outcome.”

Funding will be provided by Cornwall Council’s devolution fund, and £500 will come from Cllr Jordan’s community chest grant. St Austell Brewery has also pledged its support to the project and the Port William Inn at Trebarwith has offered its cleaning services for the toilets.

A spokesperson from Cornwall Council said: “Cornwall Council is in active discussions with a local group to find a long-term solution to having the toilets under local management and open each summer.”

It is hoped the toilets will be taken over by the CIC by the end of the year.