A derelict public toilets in a village on the isle of Mull could brought back to life – if the council agrees with a plan to sell a prime building plot to a community group for £100.
Currently resembling a run down shack, the former Dervaig Public Toilets could be sold to North West Mull Community Woodland Company Limited.
The group has contacted Argyll and Bute Council requesting to buy the toilets and surrounding ground so that it can demolish them and develop new amenities for visitors.
It is intended that this will enhance the tourism experience and indirectly improve the local economy.
The proposal has been given the backing of Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, with a meeting of the full council due to make the final decision today.
On council owned ground, the toilets are no longer in operation and are held by the Amenity Services department.
The site has been assessed by the DVS Property Specialists as a potential housing site having a market value of £30,000.
However officers have pointed out that disposal of the asset for a nominal sum could result in savings of £2000 in demolition and publicity costs and £426 in annual maintenance costs.
In a report before councillors, David Rennie, social enterprise development officer, writes: “In determining this price, both Amenity Services and Housing Services have taken into account that the sale would enable the group to remove the former toilets and thereby improve the aesthetics of the area.
“Thereafter the Group would construct new toilets for visitors thereby improving the tourism experience and indirectly assisting to improve the local economy. The council would save the annual grounds maintenance costs.”
A spokesman for the council said: “A local authority can sell land for less than best consideration when it is satisfied that the proposal is reasonable and will contribute to economic development and regeneration.
“In this case, officers are satisfied that the business case from the North West Mull Community Woodland Company Limited (NWMCWCL) stacks up, and that selling the site to them will be in the public interest, allowing the group to deliver a service that the council is no longer able to provide – public toilets – in a brand new building.
“Community groups can access funding that councils can’t, which is why we are eager to work with them in order to help them realise their ambitions and to provide a service to the public.
“This project is about bringing community facilities back to life.”
