Plan for new toilets after 'unsafe' block closed

Three unisex toilets are planned for Market Square in Salisbury city centre

An underground toilet block plagued by arson, sexual assaults and deaths could soon be replaced by ground-level facilities.

Salisbury City Council agreed to shut the "unsafe" toilets in Market Square in January, citing significant maintenance costs alongside the safety concerns.

The authority has now submitted a planning application to convert the existing toilets into underground storage for market traders to use.

The proposal includes building a detached, single-storey block containing three unisex toilets.

The former block was only accessible via a set of stairs

The council says that, despite closing toilets in both Market Place and Central Car Park, it remains "committed" to providing public toilet facilities.

The planning application says the new Market Place toilets will be more accessible than the current underground facility, as they will not be down steps.

The toilets will also have improved plumbing and more hygienic facilities such as touch-free fixtures, the council said.

It describes the underground space "as a vital asset" and said it could "alleviate the pressure on existing storage solutions".

The council has said it intends to use materials that match the rest of the Market Square, but it has also considered the environment and is proposing a "green roof" with vegetation on to absorb rainwater and help to prevent flooding.

A decision on the planning application by Wiltshire Council is expected at the end of April.