THE conversion of a public toilet block into a shop with post office is a possibility, say Cornwall Council.

Bude-Stratton Town Council has sent in a pre-application planning advice enquiry seeking the planning authority’s views on the viability of transforming the public conveniences on Howell’s Road, Stratton into a local shop and post office with a public toilet remaining inside and available while the shop is open.

A pre-application enquiry is not in itself a seeking of planning permission, but rather a request whereby an applicant submits proposals to Cornwall Council to seek its views on the likelihood of it achieving full planning permission and if not, what would be required to increase the chances of doing so. Not all pre-applications progress to full planning applications.

In the plans, the outside space next to the conveniences would be turned into a layby to serve as parking amenity for individuals seeking to visit the proposed shop.

The plans were described as: “Pre-application advice for the conversion of existing toilet block into a local shop/post office with a public toilet remaining inside and open while the shop is open.

“The toilet block is located to the east of the A3072 road which travels through Stratton. It is understood there may be some changes to the building where the existing Stratton Stores shop and post office is located at 1 Lords Court in Stratton.”

Concerns were raised about the proposals to introduce a layby outside of the stores.

An officer with the council’s highways development team said it was unlikely the proposal for the layby would be supported, stating: “I understand the intent is to provide a layby Infront of the shop to facilitate disabled access to the shop, as well as accommodate small scale-deliveries and cash pickups.

“It is not clear if the layby is intended to remain private or be offered for adoption.

“In any event I have a number of concerns with the proposal, including the management of the layby with the later adoption process meaning it would be available for use by any highway users unless a Traffic Regulation Order was in place restricting the usage.

“In addition, there are safety considerations, depending on entry from either direction on Howells Road, which would mean emerging vehicles potentially egressing against the flow of traffic with restricted emerging visibility.

“The footway would also require realigning to facilitate a layby.

“It is unlikely that the proposal would be supported on safety grounds and as a minimum a Road Safety Audit of the proposals would be required.”

The Cornwall Council planning officer responsible for assessing the plans told Bude-Stratton Town Council: “The principle of the development is considered to be acceptable, from the re-use of an existing building to a shop which would serve the community of Stratton. It is understood the future of the existing location of the shop may be at risk in the future.

“However, there are strong concerns raised by the Highways Officer in relation to safety from the proposed layby to serve the shop (access and deliveries). As such, any application submitted would not be at risk in this regard. Consideration should be given to all points raised in the above response, including Flood Risk, design considerations in relation to the Conservation Area, impact to neighbours etc.”

When asked by The Post about the planning application, a spokesperson for Bude-Stratton Town Council clarified they were only assessing future viability options and that the shop would not close without another suitable location in situ.

A spokesperson for Bude-Stratton Town Council said: "It has never been the intention of Bude-Stratton Town Council to sell the current location of the shop and Post Office at Stratton Stores without another suitable location being secured.

“The pre-planning enquiry to Cornwall Council was submitted to explore the potential of repurposing the Howells Road public toilet building as a possible future location for a community shop and Post Office. This forms part of ongoing contingency planning to ensure continued provision of services for the Stratton community.

“At this stage, no decisions have been made, and the Council continues to assess all available options carefully."