THE toilet block on St Sampson’s Square is set to be demolished.

Work will begin to dismantle the building on January 2 2019 according to a planning application submitted by City of York Council.

The disused block, which houses several payphones and some electrical and mechanical equipment, will be demolished and the pavement reinstated.

Councillors approved plans to knock down the building at a meeting in April, when the removal of the fountain on Parliament Street was also given the go-ahead.

A report prepared for the meeting said removing the toilet block is expected to cost about £52,000, with part of the funding provided by York Business Improvement District.

The toilets have been out of use since 2010 and the report says the building “offers no value to the public”.

It said: “The toilet block does not complement the historic setting of St Sampson Square.

“Its removal will enable the square to be better used offering increased space for the temporary cultural, recreational and retail events that happen in the city.

“The water and drain connections will remain to allow toilet facilities to be provided for such events if needed. The current toilet block does not hinder the use of St Sampson Square significantly.”

It adds that the plans were supported by the Civic Trust planning committee as long as the ground surface is in keeping with the character of the area.

And that other public toilets are available at the Coppergate Centre, Nunnery Lane, Silver Street, St George's Fields, St Leonard’s Place, Tanner Row and Union Terrace.

Last week the council announced it would spend £70,000 on refurbishing the toilets on Silver Street and Coppergate before Christmas.

The changes will see a complete redecoration of all facilities, the removal of self flushing toilets - to be replaced with standard cubicles - and the baby changing facility will also be relocated, with facilities available in both male and female toilets.

The Silver Street toilets are currently closed for two weeks for the work to take place and the works on the Coppergate toilets should take place in November and December.