A PETITION has been launched to save a toilet building in Newent from demolition.

Michael Mansfield, who launched the petition to prevent the toilets on the recreation ground on Watery Lane from being knocked down this month, has so far gathered 250 signatures.

The Forest of Dean District Council decided to demolish the building due to alternative public toilets being in the town centre.

The council also approached a number of organisations in Newent to find alternative uses for the building.

Mr Mansfield said: “A lot of people come to the recreation ground to watch Newent Rugby Club.

"I would have thought a public toilet on the recreation ground would be ideal for the public.

“If the toilets in the centre of the town can be looked after, why can’t these be?

“The recreation ground has now been included in the emergency plan for Newent Community School.

“If there is a fire or any issue they are to gather there. The thing is there won’t be a toilet for anyone there.

“I’ve also had people say that if they’d known about it they would have contemplated refurbishing the building and opening it up as a cafe.”

The toilet building which has been closed for about seven years.

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