PLANS to relocate public toilets from Tanner Row, in York, to the redeveloped Roman House on Rougier Street are set for approval next week.

An application is due before the city council’s planning committee on Thursday, which would allow the existing toilet block to be demolished.

Developers managing the conversion of neighbouring Roman House into apartments want to use the site for parking, bin storage and cycle storage and instead provide new public toilets in Roman House.

Officials have recommended the plans get the go ahead, but neighbours and the local Micklegate Planning Panel have all objected to the proposed new site.

The Micklegate panel has written to the committee and said they do not object to the Tanner Row block being demolished.

“However, we do object to the proposed relocation of the public conveniences to Rougier Street.

“It is the view of the panel that tThis is an inappropriate location for such services. It is the view of the panel that tThe proposed public conveniences would reduce the amenity of what is already a very busy pavement area because of the many bus stops here.”

A neighbouring shop owner has also objected, worried that his customers will have to deal with bad smells from the toilets next door to himhis property.

But the planning officials have said the current building adds nothing to the street scene on Tanner Row, and the new toilets in Roman House would be available 24 hours a day — and accessible for disabled people.

A wider project to improve public toilets around York, costing £650,000, has already seen renovations take place at the facilities at Union Terrace and Nunnery Lane car parks.

Earlier in August, the go-ahead was given for replacement toilets in Exhibition Square. The old block has been demolished and work has begun on replacement facilities and a shop on the site.