A COMMUNITY group is hoping to transform the public toilets in Chepstow Road, Newport, and the surrounding area.

Maindee Unlimited is working closely with Newport City Council to discuss the future of the area, known locally as the “Maindee Triangle”.

John Hallam, programme manager and volunteer at Maindee Unlimited, said: “Maindee Unlimited is very keen to improve the site for the benefit of the community.

“We are concerned at the poor estate of the toilets. We are working with KHBT, an architectural practice who are internationally known and are based in Berlin and London. They are going to be working with us to develop a conceptual design of the site.

“In September, after we have the plans, we are hoping to open formal discussions on the development of the site with the council.”

Mr Hallam said they are not sure what their plans are for the area yet, but that there has been “a lot of interest” from Incredible Edible Maindee, a group with the aim of growing food and making Maindee green.

“The trees on the site are very beautiful and we would not change them at all,” he added. “Air quality is important and Chepstow Road has particularly poor air quality, so it is good to have some trees there.

“We need to think about the toilets. At the moment, there are five public toilets which is probably more than it is required. We are thinking of retaining two toilets and maybe find alternative uses for the other areas.

“We want the site to be safe and attractive.”

He said that KHBT specialise in “exciting” public spaces and that they hope can make the area “more attractive” for residents and traders.

“We met with the council about two weeks ago and, informally, they are encouraging us,” he continued. “We are working in partnership with them on this. They want to see the area improved as well.”

There will be an opportunity to find out more about the plans on Thursday, August 10, from 6pm at Maindee Library, in Chepstow Road. The meeting is open to everyone and will be an opportunity to speak with the architects and have a say on the matter.

Maindee Unlimited is also working on a project to refurbish Maindee Library. Led by the library volunteers, more than £200,000 are expected to be spent refurbishing the library.

They expect to start the building work in the library around October this year hope they will be finished by March 2018.

To find out more about the project for the Maindee Triangle, visit maindee.org/blog/introducing-khbt-to-maindee-triangle