A BID to reopen a toilet block previously branded a magnet for drug-taking and antisocial behaviour will go before councillors next week.

Elderly residents were left angry after Tendring Council bosses told them the toilet block in Ipswich Road, Holland-on-Sea, will not be reopened as a lease for the building has already been offered to a dance school.

St Bartholomew’s councillor Colin Winfield has put forward a motion calling for the original decision to close the block – part of money-saving plans to axe ten public loos across Tendring – to be reversed.

Nearby residents have volunteered to run the block to ensure elderly residents have access to loos while shopping in the village.

Mr Winfield was told at a cabinet meeting earlier this month that a decision to lease out the block as a dance studio had already been made, although the deal had not been signed.

One volunteer who had offered to run the block shouted out during the meeting that the council’s cabinet should “hang their heads in shame”.

The cabinet said it would not support the motion and the matter will now go before the full council today for its decision.

St James’ ward councillor Chris Griffiths will also question leisure boss Mick Skeels over whether the authority will reopen the toilets at Clacton’s High Street car park.

He said: “The facility was used by a number of older residents using shops in the High Street and concerns have been raised that some of our retired community struggle to get to the toilets in Rosemary Road.

“The High Street car park is often the first stop for those visiting the town and it would make sense to have a toilet in a car park that visitors can use.”