Publicly accessible toilets in Blackwood town centre could be made available as part of a redevelopment of Market Place.
Developers of the planned “Artisan Market” met with council officials recently to discuss ways for public toilets to be reopened.
Cllr Nigel George said: “We’ve had very positive discussions with the developer of the artisan market regarding a number of possible solutions for public toilet provision, including the possibility of putting public toilets in place in advance of the main development.
“Unfortunately, we’re unable to do it all as local authorities any more, but this approach where we’re working to support the developer, would help ensure that public toilet facilities would be available in Blackwood town centre”.
The council closed public toilets in five town centres earlier this month citing budget pressures.
Cllr George added: “None of us wanted to be in a position where we had to close local amenities such as public toilets, but difficult decisions like this must be made given the current financial situation that councils, us included, are in. Discussions around the future toilet provision will continue and we’ll keep residents updated as plans progress.”
Planning consent for the artisan market, pictured right, was granted at Planning Committee last month.
It is understood that the an existing building in Market Place will be converted into a public toilet.
Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix, said he suggested to the developer the idea it could take over the former public toilets in Blackwood bus station and a subsequent meeting was arranged.
Cllr Dix said he was upset at being excluded from the meeting but welcomed the fact that public toilets were set to return – albeit not at the bus station.
The independent councillor said: “Following the kind offer by the developer to build a replacement public toilet in the artisan market, I approached the developer and council. I suggested a more productive way forward would be for the council and the developer to discuss ways in which the developer could take over the existing toilet in the bus station.
“I’m delighted that the council took up my offer to meet with the developer and to pursue an alternative solution.”
Fellow independent Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge, who collected a 3,000 signature petition against the closure of the bus station toilets also welcomed the move.