Villagers flushed with anger over loo
Harting villagers have mounted a 'Save our Loo' campaign after their public convenience was targeted by Chichester District Council's wide-reaching proposals to cut spending.
The village loo, situated next to the entrance to the White Hart pub's car park on the main street, is threatened with closure after CDC officers reported it was not heavily used and axing the facility could save 4,800.
But angry villagers claim it is the only loo for miles around and is used by walkers, cyclists and visitors all year round.
Chairman of Harting Parish Council, Terry Curran, said a letter of objection had gone from the village.
"In almost every other case where closure is proposed there is an option, another loo or a public facility which provides facilities – in the case of Harting there is nothing else.
"Our case against closure is also that this public loo is well used by people visiting this area of the South Downs, especially in the summer.
"Also, we are about to become part of the new South Downs National Park. Harting Down car park above Harting is one of the main access points from this part of the South Downs and this is the only public convenience – no-one wants to see 'porta loos' on top of the Downs."
He said CDC officers were not correct in saying the loo was in the car park of the White Hart. "It is next to the entrance to the pub, on the main street. The implication of saying it is in the car park is that the White Hart should provide public convenience facilities. We do not see why it should and anyway it is not open all the time."
The village toilet is free and open 24 hours a day. It is cleaned daily under the management of CDC which also has responsibility for 25 other public conveniences at an annual cost of 599,000.
Editor of Harting Parish News, Dorothy Brenkley, added: "In a bid to save money Harting's loo, together with one of the town public loos in West Wittering, have been earmarked for closure.
"Interestingly, toilets at Wisborough Green, a smaller parish than Harting with 625 houses compared with our 870, have been spared. It is puzzling how one village bisected by a busy main road can have such an advantage over a village that's a magnet for downland visitors."
If the possible closure proposals are taken up by CDC, there will be a six-week consultation period before a final decision is taken. In a report to CDC's policy development committee, officers said transferring responsibility to other organisations could be a sensible solution in some cases.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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