Public toilets in an Isle of Wight town centre could be refurbished — although it could mean some taxpayers forking out more.

The South Street loos, near to Newport Bus Station, are next on the list to be done up by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.

The council says although the toilets are past their best, it would like to see them improved as they are still very well used.

The community council refurbished the loos in Post Office Lane two years ago, creating a ‘vastly improved’ facility.

However, improving the South Street toilets could require a ‘significant’ increase to taxpayers’ bills in Newport and Carisbrooke, it says.

Isle of Wight County Press: The South Street loos, near to Newport Bus Station, are next on the list to be done up by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.The South Street loos, near to Newport Bus Station, are next on the list to be done up by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

The community council is asking residents if they would be happy to foot the bill.

Based on the costs of the Post Office Lane project, the council says the refurbishment project could increase bills by five per cent over a 12 to 15 year loan period before any of the council’s usual cost pressures are taken into account.

Currently, the community council’s precept sits below the average level paid across the Island.

For a Band D taxpayer in Newport and Carisbrooke, they pay £90.77 a year towards the activities of the community council.

With the proposed rise — after years of no increases — a Band D bill could go up by roughly £4.54 in the first year, to a total of £95.31.

At that rate, it would still be lower than the precepts charged this year to residents by ten other town and parish councils, including Sandown, Ryde and Ventnor.

Cllrs Julie Jones-Evans and Vix Lowthion said there are still many questions to be answered about the complex South Street toilets before a proper public consultation could start, so they can have a better idea of the costs.

They said through a recent survey, carried out by Shaping Newport, new toilets were a priority for the public.

The community council had started preparing plans to refurbish the toilets but they were put on hold due to the Covid pandemic.