A council has been panned for where it wants to build new toilets.

Swale council insists public conveniences will be built at the bottom of Seaside Avenue, Minster, Sheppey, in full view of existing houses.

But residents and ward councillors want the block either in a car park in front of the Little Oyster care home or nearer the beach lower down where it would be more hidden.

However, Cabinet members flushed away objections when they met on Wednesday last week.

Cllr Richard Darby, who represents Minster Cliffs and is a member of the ruling Swale Independents Alliance coalition, went against his own party to complain.

He said: “This is the worst possible place to build it, right in front of existing homes. The design has a grass roof to blend in but no one will be able to see it.”

Cllr Ken Pugh (Cons) who also represents Minster Cliffs said: “I was deeply disappointed at Tim Valentine, the Cabinet member for the environment. It was obvious he had no idea of the feelings of the residents. He hadn’t sought their views and repeatedly said he had engaged with ward members, which wasn’t true.

“The report he presented to his Cabinet colleagues didn’t contain any objections from either residents, ward members or Minster parish council.”

Cllr Ken Ingleton (Cons), who also chairs the parish council, said: “When the parish council discussed this with Swale council it was about the principal of having toilets near the Little Oyster and the beach huts, which the parish agreed.

"But we expressed a preference for a lower site or one near the car park, both of which the Cabinet has rejected. The final plan was not shared with the parish council. The response from Cabinet to the scrutiny committee’s recommendations are misleading at best."

He added: "If a member of the public had applied for planning on this site it would have been refused as out of keeping with the locality.”

Cllr Pete Neal (Cons, Sheppey Central) said: "There was no consultation with the public, in particular, the residents who live in the area.

"One resident, who lives directly opposite where the coalition wants to build the toilet block, only found out about it when I told him the night before the Cabinet meeting. The Leader of the council talks about transparency and an open and honest approach to decision-making but I see no evidence of it in this decision.”

Cllr Cameron Beart (Cons, Queenborough and Halfway) added: “The Leas is a beautiful spot loved by residents and visitors alike. Sheppey Conservatives have campaigned for many years for new toilet facilities to enhance the area.

"What the current coalition administration proposes would be detrimental to the landscape and ignores the valid concerns raised by residents and the parish council. The Cabinet must reconsider this decision."

Council leader Roger Truelove (Lab, Homewood) said: "I understand some councillors feel strongly about the siting of the new toilets on the Leas. I always accept that ward councillors must speak up for the interests of residents. I could have done more to recognise their point of view.

"The difficulty for the administration is that providing a toilet for the thousands of visitors to the Leas has been one of our open-space priorities since we were elected.

"It is a shame that nothing had been achieved before. As a Cabinet, we were advised that there were two options, one of which presented possible engineering and financial problems.

"So, we opted for the site chosen. As it went to Scrutiny I expected the panel to present to us a case for considering the other option but they did not do so."

Members heard that a press release was issued in the week before the Cabinet met to select the location. It resulted in six letters of objection, four of which were from residents of The Leas. Three objected to any public toilet and the other three preferred it to be in the car park.

The car park was an "initial consideration" but was dismissed because it was furthest away from the beach, at the top of a steep hill and pedestrian access was difficult because of the 'grasscrete' surface.

In a response to the Scrutiny committee the council said: "The toilet block is small, can be clad in wood and will have a sedum roof, all of which will minimise the visual impact. Being placed in a convenient, open location will help discourage antisocial behaviour."

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