PLANS to create new public toilets in Salisbury’s Market Place have been withdrawn following calls for a wider consultation with stakeholders.

The Market Place toilets have been a source of contention in the city after Salisbury City Council decided to close them and the facilities at the Central Car Park at the end of March in a bid to save money.

This was a move which drew strong criticism from residents, with a petition to keep them open being signed more than 2,500 times.

But the council claimed the closure was needed, as the facilities had become “a focus for anti-social behaviour” with reports of sexual assaults, deaths and three incidents of arson over the years, as well as concerns over the annual maintenance fee, which is said to be £100,000.

The council previously submitted plans to redevelop the toilets in February, which would have seen the below-ground toilet block converted into a storage area for market traders and council workers with three new unisex toilets built at ground level.

However, these plans have since been withdrawn, and new plans have not yet been submitted.

READ MORE: Plans for new toilets and storage area in Salisbury’s Market Place revealed

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Salisbury City Council said it will draw up new designs soon with a view to submit a new application based on feedback.

Andy North, president of Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, called for a pause to the plans to allow a wider consultation with businesses in the Market Square to take place later this month following the result of local elections which are taking place today (May 1).

He said: “There needs to be a provision for toilets in and around the Market Square, both for market traders and for the general public.

“However, there has been no consultation with the businesses in the Market Square to find a potential solution that works for everyone.”

He added: “Salisbury Chamber of Commerce are happy to help facilitate conversations with the local businesses to find alternatives/alterations to these proposals.”

Newly appointed CEO of Salisbury Business Improvement District Ellie Burke also called for closer consultation with potentially affected businesses – particularly with anchor traders such as Bradbeers.

She said: “Upon reviewing the publicly available planning documents in more detail, we have now discovered that no consultation whatsoever took place with neighbouring businesses or key stakeholders – which is deeply concerning.”

Bradbeers itself has objected to the now-withdrawn plans, with concerns that the proposed above-ground toilet block would have spoilt views across the Market Square.

A spokesperson said: “The proposed structure would be of significant height and block these views. The open nature of the square is refreshing, and structures should not be placed to lessen this openness.

“A department store has been present on Blue Boar Row for many years, and as we have the current responsibility to provide that service for the city, we are keen to be visible across the square.

“We are committed to Salisbury and to being a part of the retail offering which draws people to the centre, but we already battle with trees and buses in front of the store, hence our objection to a structure on the square which would further block visibility.

“Surely a less prominent location for public toilets could be found, or is refurbishment of the current underground provision with existing services in place really not possible?”

These comments have seemingly influenced the council to reconsider its proposals.