Decision day for new March loos – but not everyone is happy as homeowner accuses Fenland Council of lying

Fenland’s planning committee must make a decision on new public toilets for Broad Street in March or risk being out of time.

A report to Wednesday’s committee meeting warns that the application by the authority itself for the new loos must be determined by September 20 or it will be out of time and will therefore “negatively impact” the council’s performance figures.

The toilets will replace the former public conveniences demolished earlier this year and are part of the wider regeneration programme of March town centre.

There will be three toilets, a men’s, a women’s, and a disabled, and a plant room in the red-brick building, which will have reclaimed tiles on the roof.

A report to Wednesday’s committee meeting explains the plans have been revised since they were first submitted including the design and the siting of the building.

The changes were made following comments from the council’s conservation officer and due to concerns about the loss of a tree considered to be of “good quality and high amenity value”.

The site is situated on the southern side of Grays Lane and is in close proximity to the riverbank.

“There are also a number of Grade II Listed Buildings in the vicinity of the site, the closest being Old Bank House to the northwest of the site,” says the report.

It also states: “Following amendments to the scheme – including a revised siting and design, less than substantial harm has been identified as the impact on the adjacent Conservation Area and Listed Buildings. However, it is considered on balance that this is acceptable when having regard to the public benefit arising from the scheme.”

However, the owner of Bank House is far from happy with the relocated site.

In a letter of objection, he wrote: “When the plans for the work in the town were first agreed I was assured by Jan French that the toilet block would not be near my garden wall

“At the time I was getting a petition together with my neighbours but after being told the WC block would not be near my garden I stopped collecting signatures.

“It's bad enough with people urinating behind the old toilet block and having sex, and taking drugs but now they will be next to my garden wall. “The Old Bank House is one of the oldest houses in March, and I have spent a lot of money renovating the house and the garden on the river bank if I had known about the plans and position of the new WC block I would not have wasted my money.

“I feel that the toilet block if they have to be in this area, would be better placed above the pump-out station a little further away from my boundary.

“I don't think it is an unreasonable request as I was lied to by the council.”

Two further letters were received, one from a resident who wanted to see CCTV installed to deter anti-social behaviour, and another from the Middle-Level Commissioners concerned over the proximity of the toilets to its byelaw strip.

The commissioners state: “Development within, over, or under a commissioners’ maintained watercourse, or within the commissioners’ maintenance strip, requires the commissioners’ prior written consent.”

Officers are recommending the application for approval.