PLANS have been made to demolish an unused and graffiti-covered former toilet block in a town centre and build flats in its place.

The public toilets on Pike Street in Liskeard were sold at auction by Cornwall Council in 2011 for £14,500.

The building has taken on a poor appearance over the years it has stood empty, with flaking paint and graffiti.

Now, current owner Angelo Cotonou hopes to create a three storey duplex building with flats on the ground and first floor and a maisonette above.

An electricity sub-station would remain in place in front of the new-build.

The site is surrounded by various listed buildings and sits within Liskeard’s conservation area. Planners advised in 2017 that the visual impact of any scheme proposed would need to be considered carefully.

In a planning statement submitted to Cornwall Council, agent Simon McKay said: ‘The site is close to the hub of Liskeard’s commercial and historic areas.

‘However, the significance of the building in the context of ‘Heritage’ is architecturally neglible.

‘The proposals are to demolish the existing toilet block and replace it with a three-storey residential, comprising a ground and first floor flat, with a duplex or ‘maisonette’ for the second and third floor.’

The design of the building would reflect Victorian elements and take its cue from Henry Rice properties in the town, the agent adds.

A glass block wall would conceal the access stair to the ground floor flats, providing some privacy to residents, states the application.