A scheme to revitalise a toilet block with new environmental features has been given the green light.

Plans to refurbish and upgrade toilets - described as "not fit for purpose" - near a high street have been given the go-ahead.

It comes after a scheme centring around "Refurbishment of existing public toilet block including installation of living roof" for the public conveniences at Triangle Market on the edge of St Peter's Street and near High Street, Lowestoft was approved.

The plans submitted by the applicant Lowestoft Town Council were lodged with East Suffolk Council in February and have been "permitted" under delegated powers.

Lowestoft Journal:

With the facilities having provided "free to access public toilets for many years", and the town council continuing a "programme of refurbishment of toilet blocks transferred over from the former Waveney District Council (now East Suffolk Council)", a design and access statement said: "The current toilet provision is not fit for purpose."

With "an upgrade of the facilities to include baby changing, improved disabled access, and automatic locking systems," it added: "The proposed living 'green' roof adds to the Town Council’s intention to revitalise the Triangle Market area" and is "intended to provide an environmental benefit."

A living roof is used to help areas absorb and drain rainwater more easily, and aid in cleaning the air. 

A delegated report from the council's case officer said: "It is proposed to re-roof the building with a living, 'green' roof.

"This application seeks to upgrade and to enhance the public toilets, to enable the provision of a larger disabled accessible WC, baby changing facilities, and to provide two gender neutral WCs."

With the town council recommending approval and no objections received, it added: "The proposal is considered to be an enhancement to the design and appearance of the building, with the incorporation of a living green roof, in lieu of the existing bitumen felt roof."