Community leaders in Peasedown St John have reacted angrily that public lavatories in the village are to close and be knocked down. The space will be used to provide additional parking in the village.

The closure is part of B&NES Council plans to update facilities in and around Bath, but in order to keep within the budget, some areas, like Greenlands Road, in Peasedown St John, will have to lose their public conveniences.

Cllr Karen Walker, Vice- Chairman of the Parish Council, has campaigned for their retention over the last year. Following the announcement, she said: "The closure of these toilets has little support. With a village the size of ours, it's paramount that residents and visitors have access to good quality public toilets. Local businesses, residents, community groups, the Residents' Association and the Parish Council are all opposed to their closure.

"Peasedown St John is a village in need of more services and amenities, not less. With almost 7,000 residents, it's important that we have the investment our village needs."

The campaign to keep the toilets open was led by Cllr Nathan Hartley. He said: "I'm hugely disappointed, but not surprised by this announcement. We've certainly done our best to show the Council that there is a need for these toilets, but when the leadership isn't listening, it can be like hitting your head against a brick wall.

"In reality, here in Peasedown St John and Carlingcott, we've been worse off since the Lib-Dems took control of the Council. We've seen cuts to our Children's Centre Services, road maintenance budget, tree works services, CAB services and now, the closure of our public lavatories."

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Tim Warren, said: "This demonstrates just how much Council isn't listening to local people. Residents are understandably angry at the sudden nature of these closures, which have taken place without prior warning.

"We are demanding answers from the Council as to why this sudden closure has happened, which goes against the spirit of what was in the Council's budget."

Cllr David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "We have to get the balance right between offering high-quality, well-placed public conveniences and making sure we have an affordable proposition for local taxpayers for the long-term future of these facilities. In accordance with a Council resolution, we kept the toilets open whilst we were exploring alternatives.

"We have been trying to work with local communities and businesses to look at options for providing facilities in these locations, but no concrete ideas have been forthcoming, so, unfortunately, we have been forced to confirm the closing of five public toilets. However, in three of the five locations, there are on going discussions with third parties about alternative solutions for the longer-term."