The controversy surrounding the demolition of the George Yard car park toilets continues as members of the public lash out at the plans and plead to “save the toilet block”.

Andover Town Council (ATC) as a planning consultee also submitted its official objection to the plans last Thursday.

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) applied for permission in October to knock down the toilets due to public safety concerns involving drug-use in the facilities.

But public comments made on the planning application strongly object to the initiative, which would look to expand Andover’s community toilet scheme to replace the facility shortfall.

Upper Clatford resident Mike Dean said: “The Chantry Centre toilets are regularly cleaned and monitored and the decision not to continue with a similar system for the George Yard toilets will reflect badly on TVBC's attempts to portray Andover as a place to visit and do business.

“Reliance on local businesses to provide public toilets, and the lack of signposting to these toilets, will damage the character of Andover town as a community-serving place to live and work.

“It also reflects badly on TVBC as a community-serving local authority in respect of Andover Town.”

Another pro-toilets campaigner advocated previous ideas to convert the block into a tourist information and toilet block, while also voicing concerns against the community scheme.

Joanne Coole said: “These toilets are a valuable asset to the town, particularly for the disabled and families.

“Converting them to a tourist information/public toilets manned by volunteers is an ideal solution to the problem of drug abuse and would limit costs to TVBC. Providing toilet facilities via cafes and pubs is not ideal for families or disabled people or indeed the cafés own customers (especially if there are queues to use them).

“I personally do not feel comfortable using toilets in a cafe or a pub where people have been drinking. A pub setting is not a good example for families and would probably make disabled people in particular feel uncomfortable.

“I think this is an irresponsible decision taken by TVBC and should not be encouraged further.”

The proposed plan would see the current George Yard block be replaced as five extra car parking spaces and open up the area leading to the high street.

TVBC’s community toilet scheme would be the acting alternative to the car park facilities, and currently has four businesses signed up to allow the public to use their toilets, Costa, Caffè Nero, The Redbridge and Café Bridge.

In return the council pays each participating business £1,500 a year.

On a consultation level, ATC submitted its objection last week with scepticism over the fresh project which has only been trialled since its July launch.

Its statement read: “It is felt that the demolition is premature given the toilet facilities were only closed in July 2017, there has not been enough time to see if the community toilet scheme will work.

“It has been shown in other areas that participating members have dropped out within a second year, leaving the community with limited toilet facilities. Where are adult changing facilities going to be put?

“It is understood that a petition has been submitted for TVBC to provide adult changing facilities. Disabled access to the community toilets is limited.

“The cost of dismantling the toilets will be expensive and it will be many years before this is recouped.”

The decision is set to be determined next month, to view and contribute comments to the application visit TVBC planning with reference 17/02704/RDCAN.