Public loo to be turned into house

Conveniently situated in Axminster

Old public loos are to become someone’s new home following a decision by the planning committee East Devon District Council (EDDC). 

The toilets on Axminster’s Castle Street, in the town centre conservation area, will be converted into a one-bedroom property. 

The transformation will include an extra storey and several external changes. 

It’s not exactly clear when the loos were built. Maps between 1889 and 1912 do not show the toilet block,  however, it does appear in those for 1951 to 1992.

There is a further reference to the building’s existence in the 1950s in “Moulding’s Memories,” a Nub News column written by EDDC councillor Andrew Moulding (Conservative, Axminster), who lived a quick dash to the loos when growing up.

After being sold by the council around 15 years ago, the building has been vacant and mainly being used for storage. 

The ground floor of the new home will be flush with a study, a hall and a bedroom. The upper floor will be an open plan living area. It will also have a loo, naturally.

Addressing EDDC’s planning committee,  Cllr Moulding said: “I’m glad we’ve reached a position where this old building can be brought back into use.”

The property won’t have on-street parking, causing ward member for Axminster Councillor Sarah Jackson (Democratic Alliance Group) expressing concern this could lead to the narrow two-way road on Castle Street being blocked up, either by deliveries or the occupier parking next to their home for a short period of time.  

She was also worried that the building works needed could affect trade at a garage opposite. Cllr Jackson wanted conditions placed on the planning permission limiting the hours work could be carried out so as to reduce the disruption to the business.

Cllr Jackson admitted she was torn about the plans, saying: “I’d really like this building to be put back into good use. I think it’s in desperate need of that.” She thanked the applicant, Graham Hudson, for taking the steps to make the proposals as acceptable as possible.

Councillor Bruce De Saram (Conservative, Exmouth Littleham) didn’t share the concerns about parking and argued that future residents would have very little use for on-street parking, given the town centre location and options to walk and cycle to amenities. 

In the end, the application was given the green light by a unanimous vote in favour.