Councillors have been told to hang their heads in shame for planning to demolish a toilet block in a bustling market town and replace it with a pair of semi-detached houses.

Anthony Carroll

Councillors have been told to hang their heads in shame for planning to demolish a toilet block in a bustling market town and replace it with a pair of semi-detached houses.

North Norfolk District Council's plans to sell the toilets in Holt have sparked a wave of complaints from concerned residents who fear that without the Church Street facilities people might struggle to find alternatives venues to use.

The district council wants to sell the toilet site after shutting it in 2005 as part of a review which concluded that nine public loos should be earmarked for closure across the region.

A last ditch campaign has been launched by Holt Town Council to take over the running of the toilets, which are believed to part of covenant from 1951 that states that the site should always remain as a public convenience.

Bryan Payne, town council chairman, said: “The district council should hold its head in shame at the way it has treated our town. We at local level know this service is much needed.”

Last week town councillors unanimously agreed to object to the application to knock down the toilets and build two homes because it was totally out of keeping with the area and would be an over development of the site.

Peter Moore, the district councillor responsible for the authority's assets, said he was unable to comment on the toilets because they were subject to a planning application and he could not prejudice any decision on their future.

The plans are due to be discussed by district councillors next month.