PROPOSALS to convert Baiter Park’s public toilet block to create a permanent café have taken a step forward.

Cabinet members discussed the latest stage of the plans at a meeting on Tuesday.

In spring next year, the council will be inviting bidders to take forward its outline proposals for the block, which would retain some of its toilet facilities and feature a new park café.

The cost of the scheme is currently unknown, although it is expected to be in the region of £300-350k.

The Baiter Park public toilets re-opened in August after a four-month closure. The decision to close the toilets proved highly controversial with the public who – along with the Daily Echo – campaigned to get them re-opened. After being told initially by the borough that they would remain shut, it was announced in August the toilets would be re-opened while a procurement process was carried out.

The council said they had since found a range of potential operators interested in taking the development proposals forward.

It is anticipated that following a tender process in spring, a contract will be awarded to the new operators in summer, with construction taking place in autumn.

A report to cabinet members stated the Baiter Park toilets were “in a poor condition and require significant levels of maintenance and investment”.

It identified some potential risks, which could prove a setback to the project including increased project costs and negative public feedback on the disposal of public open space.

The council also needs an “urgent determination” on an application to register Harbourside Park as a Town and Village Green – a decision is expected by March 2018.

While the proposals are developed, the licences of the mobile catering outlets trading at Baiter, which are due to expire in April 2018, are set to be temporarily extended.

Speaking about the proposals at Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr John Rampton, said they were going before planners imminently, if not so already.

He explained to members that a re-developed public toilet block would “raise the quality of public services within the park”, “significantly reduce or remove the future costs and liabilities”, and “stimulate wider economic benefits and create employment opportunities”.