Toilets at one of the Isle of Wight’s most picturesque spots could soon be getting upgraded.
The plans to demolish the toilets and build new ones at the National Trust’s Hanover Point car park at Compton Bay, on the Military Road, have been recently revised.
It follows concerns about the size of the building, proposed picnic tables and the size of the car park.
Issues raised
Changes to the plans — which were first submitted in December last year — have been made after the issues were raised.
The building’s footprint has been reduced — removing a bin storage area — and the picnic tables removed, allowing for a bigger space for people who may not be able to get down to the beach to bring their own chairs and blankets.
Toilets at the end of maintainable life
The National Trust has said the current toilet facilities are at the end of their maintainable life.
The new toilet blocks would be a modular design so it can be dismantled and moved easily when it is necessary due to coastal erosion.
It is thought the land on which the car park and the toilets currently sit will have vanished in 25 years.
Materials to be used
ERMC has said the site will have few unnaturally occurring materials although some concrete may be required for building foundations, and screw piles are also being investigated to mitigate long-term erosion.
The roof of the toilet block could feature solar panels and a sedum, green roof.
If the new toilets are approved, the old ones will remain in use until the new block is completed.
Changes to car park
The car park could have enough parking spaces for 235 to 255 vehicles and is looking to improve the flow of cars.
Height restriction bars are also proposed in two places to stop large motorhomes coming into the car park and staying overnight as the National Trust has a no overnight parking policy.
Verges
The new plans have also removed any treatment works on highway verges the National Trust would have carried out.
The trust said it is still looking to find a solution to improve the safety of the entrance and exit to the site, by dealing with people parking on the verges, but it may now come under a separate application.
View the plans
You can view the revised plans, 22/02195/FUL, on the Isle of Wight council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 10th November.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
