THE FIRST ever public toilet for Barnt Green has moved a step closer after Bromsgrove District Council’s cabinet agreed to contribute £44,000 towards the cost.
The proposal was outlined by Coun Charles Hotham during a presentation at the council’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday (February 1).
He said the village had never had a public toilet and ‘desperately’ needed one.
He detailed the application for a unisex pod toilet to be positioned by the village’s Millennium Park at a total cost of £62,000.
The £44,000 will be paid for from Section 106 money – cash provided by developers to pay for amenities in the local area following the Fiery Hill Road development.
The remaining £18,000 has been agreed by the cabinet from capital funding, subject to approval at the full council meeting on February 28.
Coun Hotham said: “I feel a public toilet would encourage tourism back into the village which has the third largest run of shops in the district (behind Bromsgrove and Rubery).
“The village has been working with Worcestershire County Council on a number of circular walks and Barnt Green does provide the gateway to the Lickeys.
“Because of this and for shoppers, a toilet is a necessity for visitors if they are to remain in area as long as possible.”
Coun Hotham said he felt the convenience would help bring a variety of people to the area, including families and older people – all who had buying power and could boost the local economy.
“We in Barnt Green will all be relieved to finally have a public toilet in the village,” he added.
