Council opens online consultation on Changing Places toilets

May 10, 2021

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council would like to consult with its residents on its commitment to Changing Places Toilets in public places in the council area.

The council launched its online consultation today and would welcome feedback from individuals, groups and organisations.  The consultation will close on Sunday 13th June. You can access it online at www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/consultations

Alderman Paul Porter, Corporate Services Committee Chairman, speaking about the consultation said: “Through its draft policy and guidance document the council would like to work with local partners and developers to influence and drive the Changing Places agenda forward.  We understand some children and adults with disabilities require personal assistance to use the toilet or change.  As the local authority we want to ensure there are adequate facilities within the Lisburn Castlereagh area to meet these needs.

“Our draft document is designed to address council facilities in the main but also to encourage and influence other organisations with buildings visited by a large number of people to consider incorporating a Changing Places Toilet (CPT) during the design of a new building or when retrofitting a building.  It will work alongside the proposed upcoming amendments to the Northern Ireland Building Regulations to make these large accessible toilets mandatory in new buildings that meet the criteria.

“There are currently four such facilities in the Lisburn Castlereagh area and we would like to see this increase. We want to ensure that all our residents and visitors feel included and that their needs can be met. I would encourage those who would use such a facility themselves or with a family member or carer to please take the time to give us your feedback on our proposal.”

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will assess its buildings to identify any need for a CPT and will encourage facility owners in its area to provide a CPT if the guidance triggers are met.  These triggers include: size and capacity of new builds, conversions or extensions to existing premises and a minimum layout requirement.