NEW public toilets set to be built alongside Worcester Cathedral are “absolutely awful”, according to a leading city councillor.

Worcester City Council’s cabinet member in charge of planning issues, David Tibbutt, expressed strong concerns that the mediaeval lean-to design of the toilet block was out of keeping with the most important building in the city.

Other members of the planning committee said the toilet block design was “hideous” and looked “like a shed” – but planning permission was granted after officers said the design was still an improvement on an existing temporary toilet block.

The £400,000 toilets will be built along the outside of the Cathedral’s south wall, beside Chapter House. The city council has already pledged £50,000 towards their cost.

A previous application for toilets had already been approved by the city council, but then rejected by the London-based Cathedral Fabric Commission, which must also agree any proposed changes to Britain’s cathedrals.

“I think it’s sad we are not getting the initial one,” said committee member Geoff Williams. “I thought it was rather exciting.”

His views were supported by the committee’s planning adviser, Alan Coleman, who said he preferred the original scheme. Coun Tibbutt was far more scathing, saying: “I cannot support that – it’s totally out of keeping with the most important building in this city. It’s absolutely awful.”

But Mr Coleman said that despite his department’s reservations, he still believed the application should be supported. In his report, he wrote: “In terms of the siting, design and appearance of the proposal, I consider it less successful than its predecessor.

“Nevertheless, I do not consider that this, in itself, renders the proposal unacceptable.

“In my opinion, the submitted scheme is appropriate for this sensitive location, as it incorporates traditional elements of construction and materials with a modern approach.”

He added that the new toilets would finally mean the removal of an ugly temporary block. Committee chairman Robert Rowden agreed, adding: “I would suggest it’s better than what’s there at the moment.”

The application was passed by six votes to four, and will now go before the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for final approval later this month.