OLDHAM Council’s offer of a "unique opportunity" to lease a toilet block in the heart of a Saddleworth village has been greeted with mixed reaction.

The single-storey building at St Chad’s Gardens, Uppermill, closed in May last year after repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour.

But now Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding said: “We think there will be plenty of interest in this block as it’s in the centre of the park and just yards from one of our busiest district centre streets.

“It would make an ideal building for a café or shop, but we are open to any ideas.

“We never want to close public toilets, but the vandalism forced our hands. We can’t afford to keep repairing them.

“By finding a new use for the block we’ll hopefully be helping to create a new business and also making sure there are toilets to use – a facility that currently isn’t offered.”

But locals took to social media to criticise the proposal with one posting: “It’s pathetic OMBC do everything they can to turn Uppermill into a tourist hotspot yet can't provide and maintain basic facilities.

“They don't give two hoots about Saddleworth - only the council tax it generates.”

Another said: “There used to be public toilets in nearly every village, anti-social behaviour is just another excuse to close them.

“We pay a premium in council tax, our children shouldn't have to go to a pub to use facilities. The council need to keep up on their maintenance.”

However, as a counterpoint, others thought the block could be a useful addition to community and there was a suggestion it could be an ideal youth drop-in facility.

And another said: “The toilets are closed now with no prospect of reopening. This will likely provide a positive use for an unused building - a cafe etc would be an attractive feature - plus reintroduce toilets for public use into the park.”

The council say interested individuals and businesses have the chance to lease the former public conveniences and convert them into a going concern.

As part of the lease the new landlords will have to provide toilets open to the public during their opening hours. Any change of use will be subject to planning permission.

Although only small, St Chad’s Gardens is steeped in history, housing the site of the former 17th Century abbey.

The popular park links up with the linear walks along the River Tame and the Huddersfield Canal.

Facilities include a children’s play area, ornamental gardens and King George V Playing Fields which stages several events throughout the summer.

Unity Partnership, on instruction from the Council, is seeking bids from parties interested in establishing and operating a business, complimentary to the park environment, by adapting the WCs under the terms of a new lease.

The property was constructed approximately 20 years ago and comprises a gross external area of approximately 40 square metres.

It currently comprises separate male, female and disabled toilets. It is anticipated any new occupier would undertake adaptation works to the building to enable them to operate their business.

The council is looking for some public toilet facility to be retained within the future use of the building.

And they say there is the opportunity for the business operator to use some of the external land surrounding the building for the setting out of tables and chairs and holding events, such area to be agreed and defined within the lease.

The incoming tenant will be responsible for the business rates. Current Rateable Value = £3,450 however it is likely this will be re-assessed depending on future use of the building. If you are interested in the building, you have until noon Friday, June 7, 2019 to get in touch and complete a tender submission form. A selection process will then take place.

Visit www.unitypartnership.com/property for more details.