The public toilets in Budleigh Salterton’s Station Road are to remain open, and will be taken over by the town council.

Earlier this month councillors voted unanimously to buy the freehold of the building from East Devon District Council (EDDC) and pay for cleaning and maintenance.

This will take effect from April 1, 2025, and the toilets will stay open and be maintained by EDDC throughout the interim period.

There had been uncertainty over the future of the loos since EDDC announced its review of public toilets in 2021. The district council said it would retain 15 ‘Category A’ public conveniences in East Devon’s main towns, and these would be improved, updated and refurbished. Others in ‘Category B’ would be offered for rent or lease by other organisations, with a condition that they would have to continue offering a public convenience.

In Budleigh Salterton the toilet blocks at Cliff Path and Lime Kiln were Category A, and the six cubicles in Station Road were Category B.

In recent months discussions have been continuing between Budleigh Town Council and the district council on the terms of the takeover.  A satisfactory agreement was reached prior to an extraordinary meeting of the town council on April 15 when the unanimous vote in favour took place.

After the takeover, Budleigh Salterton Town Council will have a duty to make sure there is at least one toilet provided at Station Road for the next 10 years. This may mean keeping just one or two cubicles open and using the rest for storage, or some other purpose, depending on the demand for the toilets. The cost to the town council of cleaning and maintenance isn’t known yet – EDDC can give some guidance but the town council will be able to source its own contractors for the work.

Meanwhile, details of the improved Category A toilets at Lime Kiln have now been released. The existing block will be demolished and rebuilt with four unisex cubicles, one disabledtoilet and a ‘Changing Places’ facility for people with severe disabilities. It will also have two outside showers, a bike rack, a water bottle refill point and seating.