People in Bingley are being urged to have their say over new proposals to secure the future of the town’s public toilets.

The facility, in Myrtle Walk, is due to be shut down at the end of March by Bradford Council, as part of wider budget cuts.

Fresh plans, put forward by Bingley Town Council, involve it taking over the running of the toilets and developing the site to include new offices.

To fund the project, there would need to be an annual increase on the precept added to residents’ council tax bills of around 60p for an average Band D property in 2018/19.

Councillors Ros Dawson and Marcus Dearden, chairman and vice-chairman of Bingley Town Council respectively, are leading the project.

Cllr Dawson said: “Public toilets are essential for health, well-being, our local economy and efforts to regenerate our town centre.

“The Town Council has looked at a number of options to keep open Bingley toilets.

“This solution to develop the site to provide both offices and public facilities is the most cost-effective and viable way of ensuring our town has public toilets for years to come as well as central, affordable and accessible offices for the Town Council.

“Whilst it’s a complex project that has involved a lot of work to get it to this stage, it is also an exciting opportunity.

“I am confident it can be achieved, providing it has the backing of residents.”

Consultation over the plans will begin on Saturday, December 2, with a drop-in event at Cardigan House, Ferncliffe Road, Bingley, from 10am and 3pm.

The plans and a survey will then be available online and in Bingley Library until the end of December when the consultation ends.

Cllr Dearden added that without local support the project would not go ahead.

“We urge everyone to take part in the consultation, find out the details, ask questions and share their views. Feedback is vital,” he said.

“There is no other plan for maintaining public toilet facilities in the town so once the toilets will shut in March they will probably be demolished by Bradford Council,” he added.

The proposal would require a Community Asset Transfer from Bradford Council and a Government fixed-rate loan. Both require evidence of support for the project.