Changing Places provision part of Glenarm toilet facilities upgrade

The scheme, which includes Changings Places provision, follows funding allocated through the Covid-19 Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme.

A number of villages across Mid and East Antrim are set to benefit from over £2.6m of investment for projects.

Funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the programme will help deliver measures that provide a safer and more welcoming environment for residents and visitors.

The Mayor, Alderman Noel Williams, said: “I am delighted that council has been able to secure over £2.4m in external funding and 10% match-funding to deliver a number of exciting projects to enhance several of our villages and small settlements and to help their economic recovery following the global pandemic.

“Our villages are a huge part of our borough’s identity and are at the very heart of our local communities. This investment by DfC, DfI and DAERA is well-deserved recognition of the critical role our villages play in the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of this borough.”

The upgraded facility at Glenarm will include toilet facilities, baby changing, a Changing Places standard toilet facility and an outdoor shower, reflecting the needs of residents and visitors as well as the growing popularity of water sports, such as wild swimming, stand up paddle-boarding and kayaking in the area.

Similar Provision

The upgrading of the current disabled toilet provision to provide a Changing Places facility at this location – along with similar provision at Larne Town Park this year – will bring the total number of council-run Changing Places facilities to five.

The other are at: People’s Park, Ballymena; Carnfunnock Country Park and Larne Leisure Centre.

Information on other Changing Places facilities can be found using an interactive map https://www.changing-places.org/find

Council says the enhanced toilet facilities will complement other investment in the Glenarm area as part of the delivery of the village masterplan by contributing to the creation of a high quality and sympathetic promenade area at the harbour.

Construction work is set to take around 16 weeks and is due to start week commencing Monday, February 13. Springwell Contracts Ltd has been appointed to deliver the project.

Alternative toilet provision will be made available during the upgrading of facilities and will be clearly signposted from the car park, council added.