IMPORTANT Ulverston business could soon be discussed in a former public lavatory as plans to relocate council offices to a toilet are debated tomorrow.

A proposal to convert the public conveniences in Ulverston into a new home for the town council are due to be presented to South Lakeland District Council’s planning bosses.

The controversial scheme, which would see the building transformed into offices and a meeting room, are recommended for approval.

The move, prompted by SLDC’s decision to sell off Ulverston Town Hall for affordable housing, divided opinion among town councillors prompting resignations earlier this year from key position holders.

Opponents to the decision had instead voted for the council to relocate to attic space within the Coronation Hall which they argued would provide rental income for Ulverston Community Enterprises, an independent group set up by the town authority in 2014.

But Ulverston town mayor Councillor Bharath Rajan said a democratic process had taken place in which the toilets had emerged as the preferred option.

Cllr Rajan, who did not take part in the discussions, said: “I believe the fact that SLDC offered a 99-year lease for a purpose-built office outside of the Coronation Hall compared with a 25-year lease on an office that would have been tightly situated in an area of the Coro that was never designed for that use swung the day.”

The plans for the Brogden Street loos would see the detached building itself converted into office space while consent is also being sought for an extension measuring 7.2m by 2.6m to house a meeting room.

District council bosses are expected to foot the estimated £105,000 bill for the project.

A report to district council planning decision makers states the application should be supported – with the loss of a town centre public toilet not deemed “detrimental” to Ulverston.