DISTRICT chiefs have ruled against a £100,000 renovation of the public toilets near Lulworth Cove.

Instead, Purbeck District Council (PDC) members agreed to hand over the rundown toilet block to the Lulworth Estate for a nominal sum.

Councillors made their decision at a meeting at Westport House, Worgret Road, on Tuesday (JUNE 13) evening.

One option up for consideration was for PDC to retain ownership of the toilets and to refurbish them at a cost of £100,000 plus running costs.

However, council officers recommended members transfer the toilets to the Lulworth Estate.

In response to West Lulworth Parish Council concerns over the toilet block's future, the Lulworth Estate had already clarified: "The purpose of the toilets is to provide a facility for the local community and those visiting Lulworth Cove - it is in our interests to do this as the estate has responsibility for keeping the beach and cove are maintained.

"It is not the intention to relocate the public toilets, except possibly during the construction of new toilets if it should prove necessary to provide a temporary alternative for public safety reasons.

"It is our intention for the toilets to be open for 24 hours."

In 2011 PDC considered the future of all of its public toilets, with five transferred to their respective town and parish councils.

At this point West Lulworth Parish Council said they were not in a position to take over ownership of the West Lulworth public toilets.

Later that year the district council resolved to transfer and land and buildings to the Lulworth Estate. However, due to subsequent planning issues, the transfer of the land did not take place and the toilet block deteriorated.

A report from PDC officers, recommending transfer to the Lulworth Estate, stated the council should "resolve that the land and toilets are transferred to the Lulworth Estate for a peppercorn, subject to heads of terms being agreed by the council's solicitor, incorporating conditions that full public toilet facilities are to be provided and maintained on or very near the site in the lower cove area."

The council also stipulates the toilets are operated 24-hours a day and free to use.