East Devon’s multi-million-pound public toilet programme to be discussed

The next phase of works to refurbish East Devon’s public toilets and how it will be carried out is set to be discussed at a council meeting later this month.

More than a million pounds has been invested in East Devon’s public toilets, which already have been used more than 40,000 times – helping to support the local communities and the region’s vital tourist industry.

Four sites – Budleigh Salterton Lime Kiln, Honiton Lace Walk, Exmouth Foxholes and Seaton West Walk have been upgraded as part of the £3.4million revamp programme to provide high-quality toilet facilities. This includes three adult changing facilities with specialist equipment like hoists and full-size changing beds at Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Seaton – this allows visitors with significant additional needs and accompanied by a carer to access the services they need when they visit these towns.  These facilities were funded by Government and enabled due to links to the wider Public Toilets Review.

Three further sites within East Devon have been transferred to other organisations to operate – these are Station Road toilets in Budleigh Salterton, King Street toilets in Honiton and Dolphin Street toilets in Colyton. In addition, one site has been leased and will incorporate a public toilet when redeveloped, two sites have been sold and closed.

The EDDC Overview Committee will be looking at the next phase of the project, and at the impact of local government reorganisation and funding.

Following phase one, which included the most challenging sites of the project first, there is now £1.95m left to improve the remaining 11 sites. This work is estimated to cost more than £3million to refurbish (leaving a funding shortfall of £1.085m due to inflation since budget approved) should the programme be completed.

However, if all of the 15 sites are completed, it is estimated that they would generate income of around £200,000 a year towards the running costs, that include maintenance, cleaning, utility bills and products.

Plans for the sites remaining in the upgrade programme are as follows:

The next public toilets set to be renovated with works planned to start this winter (2025/26):

• Exmouth Magnolia Centre Public Toilets
• Exmouth Queens Drive Public Toilets
• Exmouth Manor Gardens Public Toilets
• Axminster West Street Car Park Public Toilets

Other public toilets which will be looked at for future phases include:

• Sidmouth Ham Car Park Public Toilets
• Budleigh Salterton Cliff Path Public Toilets
• Sidmouth Market Place Public Toilets
• Sidmouth Connaught Gardens Public Toilet
• Exmouth Phear Park Public Toilets
• Beer Jubilee Gardens Public Toilets
• Sidmouth Triangle Public Toilets

Councillors on the Overview Committee will consider the report and the following options, before the report is discussed at Cabinet.

1. Complete the programme as planned, recognising that additional budget will be required in addition to the remaining balance of £1.95m.
2. Complete the investment programme but within existing budget, which could include closing further toilets and / or revising the specification to reduce the cost.
3. Do not proceed prior to Local Government Reorganisation.

Councillors will discuss the report at the Overview Meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The report will then be considered by Cabinet.