The toilets at Sandbanks Ferry WILL be opened for summer - as Poole Council announce a major U-turn.

The council say they will be open from tomorrow until September 30.

It signals a major turnaround for the council, who until this point have refused to entertain the notion of reopening any of the public conveniences.

Campaigners - including the Daily Echo - have been calling on the authority to reconsider their closure plans for the past few weeks.

Previous reports said residents were furious their multi-million pound properties were being used by visitors needing the toilet after the only public loos on the peninsula were closed.

People queuing in their cars for the popular chain ferry used to be able to pop out and use the toilets next to the slipway.

But since the closure, tourists caught short faced a 1.2 mile walk to the nearest public toilets and back again.

Wealthy homeowners said people were relieving themselves inside their front gardens, up against their walls and down a side alley.

In a statement, Borough of Poole said: "In line with existing policy, Borough of Poole is working with local businesses about the future operation of the mothballed 'Haven' public toilets on Ferry Road, Sandbanks.

"Businesses that have expressed formal interest are currently developing businesses plans to explore the long-term viability of these facilities.

"To support this process, the council has agreed to temporarily open the Haven toilets, from 26 May until 30 September 2017. 

"After the 30 September 2017, Borough of Poole will no longer provide public toilets at Ferry Road.

"If a viable business case cannot be achieved by this date, the council will close the facility. However, it will continue to seek an alternate solution for the area."

Cllr John Rampton, portfolio holder for environment, insisted the toilets had not been re-opened in response to public pressure or the campaign.

“The policy has not changed,” he said, adding if businesses were unable to formulate a plan for operating the toilets by September, the toilets would be shut again.

“Nobody wants the toilets to close. All toilets are nice to have, and we have the intention from local businesses to open them.

“To help businesses, the toilets will be opened to facilitate them while they develop their plans. If those plans happen, great, if they don’t happen, the toilets will close.”

Rob Mulliner, owner of the Haven Ferry Cafe - who has been working to save the toilets - told the Echo: “This will be a great boost for tourism and enable me more time to come up with a long-term plan.” 

Meanwhile, Gill Lee, who works nearby, said: “This is good news, we get a lot of elderly people sitting by the car park at the ferry. They like to enjoy an ice cream and they come up to the shops to use the loos.

“I don’t understand why the council keeps closing the toilets. This one here is absolutely necessary - sometimes cars are in the ferry queue for up to two hours.”

Haven Ferry cafe manager Emma Sabine, said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare. I will not believe it until I see the doors actually open, but we’re delighted the council has come to this decision as this is a facility required for this very busy area.”

Holidaymaker Patricia Mullins said she recent coverage of the toilet closures had damaged Poole’s reputation.

“We’ve been coming here, using this ferry to Studland for 20 years. Public toilets are important, especially if your town depends on tourists.”