Gravel toilet plans set to move forward following delays

Work transforming Newtown's Gravel car park toilets are set to go out for re-tendering, according to a town council report.

Newtown Town Council's Resources Committee will meet on Monday to consider a report about re-tendering the troubled Gravel Car Park toilets transformation project after years of vandalism forced a complete rethink of the scheme.

The Operations Manager's report to the committee recommends issuing fresh tender documents on both Sell2Wales and the Town Council website, with the current pricing structure and extended build timeline blamed for deterring potential contractors. The re-tendering strategy is expected to increase interest among local contractors, according to the report.

The report confirms that tender documents have been updated to exclude recently completed work, with the solar installation and CCTV system removed from the scope after both projects were finished. 

An application for a Transformation Grant will be submitted to Powys County Council by the end of August, with the PCC panel due to consider funding requests in September.

The move comes after persistent vandalism has cost the council thousands of pounds in repairs at the facility.

After a significant vandalism attack in February last year, a council officer told councillors that "vandals seem to be migrating there" as the authority struggled to maintain the popular facility.

The approved plans call for a total strip-out and rebuild featuring up to five externally accessed toilet cubicles, including gender-neutral options and 'Changing Places' certified facilities for disabled users. 

The external access design is central to the anti-vandalism strategy, eliminating the enclosed internal space that has proven so vulnerable to attack.

Project costs have spiralled during development, climbing from initial estimates of £100,000 to £150,000, then rising to between £175,000 and £225,000, and recently exceeding £255,000. The increases reflect construction industry pressures from rising labour and material costs that have affected projects across the region.

According to the Operations Manager's report, Powys County Council is launching a new two-year funding programme that could provide substantial support for the project. The council has also explored additional grants from organisations including the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and PAVO as it seeks to bridge the funding gap.

The project timeline has shifted from the original March 2025 completion target outlined in earlier council documents. Under the new programme structure, work is expected to finish by December 2026, providing what officials say is a more realistic timeframe for the comprehensive transformation.

Councillor Jackie Molloy-Davies has previously stressed the importance of maintaining accessibility throughout the redesign, particularly ensuring continued compatibility with Radar keys for disabled users. The enhanced 'Changing Places' facilities will address needs of users requiring additional support.

Monday's Resources Committee meeting will consider the Operations Manager's recommendations. If members approve the re-tendering approach, tender documents are expected to be published shortly afterwards.