A STRUCTURAL survey is set to take place to assess damage to the long-closed Bye Street toilets. 

Members of Love Ledbury, which has a licence agreement to operate the toilets, Ledbury Town Council and the Hereford Estates office finally had a long-planned meeting to discuss the future of the toilets.

During that meeting, councillors aired their concerns about the idea of Ledbury Town Council taking over the toilets, which have been closed for much of the last decade. 

The meeting was to progress with the agreement made between Love Ledbury, a community group set up to support town projects, and Ledbury Town Council a year ago, whereby the authority would take on the management of the Bye Street toilets followed by a review.

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Some people at the meeting objected to the town council taking control of these toilets, for 'historical reasons.'

As they are owned by Herefordshire Council and managed by Love Ledbury, a key concern raised was that if the town council were to take over the management of the toilets, the county authority would close the toilets on Church Street.

However, a Herefordshire Council spokesperson said there was no appetite to close the Church Street toilet and this would continue irrespective of any decision by the town council to take the Bye Street toilets on. 

Councillor John Newsham said a big concern was that the structure of the toilets needs repair. 

Cllr Liz Harvey, representing Love Ledbury at the meeting, said the building had been hit by a vehicle, and as a result, the roof and guttering had been damaged.

The Mayor of Ledbury, Cllr Stephen Chowns, asked that if the guttering repair needed to be done, a building condition survey needed to take place.

He also asked for clear guidance as to where Love Ledbury's responsibilities begin and end regarding the building repairs.

As well as an agreement to carry out a condition survey on the building's structure, it was also agreed the draft agreement previously presented to the environment and leisure committee would be submitted to the council for approval. 

In November 2023, Ledbury Town Council to pilot the operation of the Bye Street toilets, however, it hasn't been implemented and they have remained closed during that time. 

The draft partnership agreement would last for 12 months with a 'breakpoint' for both parties to be considered at six months.

Town councillors were due to discuss the Bye Street toilets at last night's full council meeting.