Steyning toilets bogged down in controversy

I RECENTLY read an article about Steyning written by a John Batton for a local paper back in 1974. With the exception of a reference to the need for a bypass, it could have been written today. What caught my eye was reference to the bus station and toilet in the centre of the town, and I quote, 'The only ugly thing is the hideous bus station and toilet bang opposite the old town clock' and 'that bus building there in the High Street is just about as utility as anything could be, jarring among so much beauty'. This view is shared by many local residents today. With this in mind and the recognition that the toilets desperately needed replacing, Steyning Parish Council worked over a period of six years with Horsham District Council, the current owner of the building, to develop a plan which would include a new toilet building, retain a level of seating and enhance the current street scene. A plan to achieve this was devised which involved little or no investment from public funds. This plan was subject to public consultation back in 2006 and had overwhelming public acceptance. A decision to proceed with this proposal was taken by the full parish council and a planning application was in the process of being submitted. As a matter of interest Henfield followed the same course of action and is about to provide its village with new amenities at no cost to the community. Since the public consultation, Steyning Parish Council has been under pressure from The Steyning Society to reconsider the development and retain the current building with the result that a new plan is now being developed to retain the building and provide just two unisex toilet cubicles facing up the High Street. The toilets will have no privacy and are totally inadequate for a town as big as Steyning which has a large catchment area, attracts many visitors and is likely to be on the edge of the South Downs National Park. In addition, it is highly likely that the repair and maintenance costs of the current building will now have to be financed from future council tax. I am disappointed that there has been no public consultation at all on this latest proposal and am concerned that residents do not fully appreciate what is going on. Well meaning as their intentions may be, The Steyning Society should recognise that in retaining this poor quality building as part of Steyning's 'heritage', an opportunity to provide 21st century amenities will be lost. As a matter of interest, Horsham District Council is so keen to dispose of the liability of the building that it previously offered it to the parish council for 1. Is the latest proposal really what Steyning wants? At the very least let's have some proper consultation with the whole community and not just with one small group. Mike Reed The Crescent, Steyning In response, Steyning Society chairman Tom Aubrey said the society did not wish to reopen the debate on the toilets, and there had been wide debate in the six years since Horsham District Council passed their reponsibility to Steyning Parish Council. He added: "The Steyning Society, with a hundred of its members, was addressed by the parish council chairman, Jackie Campbell, and councillor Sue Rogers, and there was agreement for the present plans. The Steyning Society does not wish to comment further."