PUBLIC toilets in Colchester’s Castle Park are set to be transformed after refurbishment plans were given the green light.

Colchester Council’s planning committee has approved plans for the café toilets.

The WCs shut on Monday under the first part of the project.

Refurbishment work at the café building will include a new Changing Places facility, made possible thanks to £40,000 funding from Essex County Council.

Additional funding has come from the Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People’s Changing Places capital funding project.

The new facility will have an accessible toilet and shower facilities.

They also have more space and an adult-sized height-adjustable changing bench and hoist.

The new facility is set to be open by March and people will be able to access it by applying for a key.

Dick Madden, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “I’m delighted to be able to support the construction of another Changing Places facility in Essex, which brings the total to 35 across the whole county.

“Changing Places open a new world of possibilities for people living and visiting different areas of Essex and mean children, young people and adults with disabilities are able to enjoy the same opportunities and activities as their peers.”

Work will also take place to develop a new public toilet block beneath the café adjacent to the playground.

It will be completed by May.

The toilets in Lower Castle Park will also be refurbished, with a new disabled and baby change facility included.

This work is due to begin in late April and will be completed by June.

These works are being funded with £171,000 of Colchester Borough Council’s New Homes Bonus grant.

Tina Bourne, communities boss, said: “Our Castle Park is a much-loved attraction and continues to set an incredibly high standard with its awards and accolades.

“We want to make sure that the facilities are the very best they can be and that we can continue to attract people to enjoy the park’s beautiful surroundings with the very best amenities on offer.”