Following a New Forest District Council Cabinet Meeting held on 3rd Feb 2021 a report was published which contains a section headed “Demolition of 2 Public Conveniences”. One is located at Barton on Sea and the second is located at the Slipway Car Park at Calshot. The report states that this Calshot toilet has remained closed since March 2020 due to Covid restrictions, claiming that NFDC is not able to reopen it because of the layout and condition, despite Government advice to reopen public conveniences after lockdown was lifted in July 2020.

Taking that decision resulted in the public health issues of a small minority of beach users urinating and defecating around and on beach huts, in the doorway of the gents toilet and on the land between Calshot Spit and the Fawley Power Station site. There have been many complaints about this and concern about public health was the reason quoted in Government guidance to Councils about the reopening of public toilets, not heeded in this case.

This Calshot toilet, which was refurbished a couple of years ago, is now regarded by NFDC as “no longer viable to retain” and so the Council proposes to demolish it at a budgeted cost of £30,000. This despite the public health issues seen, post July 2020 when Calshot beach became so busy with visitors who were unable to holiday overseas. It is not clear just what has happened in the last 12 months while it has been closed to make it no longer viable.

NFDC states that there is another public convenience at Hillhead car park, 660 metres away from this toilet and claims that there is easy access via walking or parking. While that may just about be true on a dull, cool day in February it certainly is not so on a busy, sunny day in summer. A walk, possibly several times in a day at the beach, of over three quarters of a mile (round-trip) along the busy, narrow Jack Maynard Road which has no pavement is not a safe option for many, particularly for disabled people, those with limited mobility or for families with young children.

If you feel strongly about this issue, as we do, please sign this petition and share the link with family and friends who enjoy Calshot Beach so they can also show their support.