Mousehold Heath toilet block refurbishment plans return

Improvement works for the public loo next to Zak’s diner on Mousehold Heath, will see the existing men's space converted into a single unisex toilet, while the disabled unit will be refurbished.

The refurbishment works for the almost century-old toilet will be discussed at a meeting this week of the Mousehold Heath Conservators, a group that oversees the 184-acre site.

Its members have been looking into refurbishing the site since March 2022.

A view of Norwich from Mousehold Heath (Image: (Image: Archant © 2010))

The latest plans are similar to a scheme agreed in January last year, but scaled back, with plans for a Changing Places toilet removed. 

Changing Places toilets provide extra accessibility measures to support people with disabilities. 

It was removed partly because access to the site is too steep. 

Instead, the Conservators are expected to investigate having an accessible toilet elsewhere on the heath. 

The scheme is now expected to cost almost £5,500 less than anticipated last year at £30,566.16. 

A report to the Conservators ahead of Friday’s meeting said: “The existing toilet facilities on Mousehold Heath are in poor condition.  

“Discussions regarding the refurbishment of the toilets have been ongoing for over a year.” 

Photos uncovered by Norwich City Council suggest the toilet block has been in place since at least 1938. 

The ladies’ toilet block, which was on the opposite side of Zak’s has already been closed due to their “poor condition”. 

The toilet block does not have an electrical supply, therefore there is no lighting, warm water for hand washing or hand drying facilities. 

Plans for improvements were previously discussed in March 2022 but were deferred for the cost of work to be established. 

At a later meeting, in June, the conservators had the extra information but said they were not sure they were responsible for refurbishing the toilets at all.