Toilets at Poole recreation ground could re-open - but not for the public

Civic officials are considering offering Broadstone Cricket Club a lease to take on future responsibility and maintenance of the toilets, which closed in March.

The council was roundly condemned for implementing its latest round of cost-cutting public toilet closures earlier this year.

Broadstone Recreation Ground's Charborough Road toilets were among those which closed - but these latest proposals could at least provide a lifeline for cricketers.

Keith Brewer, from the cricket club, told the Daily Echo: "We said to the council there was no way we could continue operating the cricket ground without a functioning toilet block, the games can go on for several hours.

"So the council said they'd look at transferring the toilet block to us and we'd pay the running costs.

"Sadly, there will be no provision for public access though. It will just be for cricket club members, but hopefully it will all go through."

Meanwhile, A BOP spokesman explained: "Broadstone Cricket Club was given a lease for a term of 25 years commencing on April 21, 2016, for the management and maintenance of the pavilion and pitch.

"A disposal of open space for the pitch and pavilion was advertised at that time. As with the pitch and pavilion, management of the toilets will be undertaken by club volunteers.

"The lease for the toilets will run concurrently with the lease for the pavilion and pitch and will give the club some security and enable members to attract external investment into the site."

BOP would retain freehold of the land at all times.

Because the lease term is greater than seven years, BOP is advertising its intention and inviting members of the public to comment.

Comment, quoting Broadstone Recreation Ground, should be emailed to recreation.development@poole.gov.uk or posted to Head of Culture and Community, Borough of Poole, Upton House, Upton Country Park, Upton, Poole Dorset, BH17 7BJ.

The deadline for comments is January 19.