Hopes of converting the former toilet block in Whitehouse Park into a new kiosk and community room have been dashed after the borough announced the building would be demolished.

But now the dream of creating a new community/visitor centre there has been rekindled after the council confirmed that services to the site would be maintained.

The old toilets at the park were closed some time ago and replaced by two compost toilets next to them.

The North West Ipswich Big Local Trust asked if it could convert the building into a kiosk and community room to encourage more visitors to the park.

However the borough announced last month that it was to demolish the toilet block - the presence of asbestos in the building was a key factor that would have made it difficult to convert.

Now the borough has met members of the Trust and agreed to retain water and electricity supplies to the site - which could allow a new development there in the future.

Phil Smart, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for the environment said: “Ipswich Borough Council has been working with NW Ipswich Big Local Trust to support improvements within the community, and part of those conversations has included the Whitehouse Park facilities.

"The works to remove the disused toilet block part of the council’s planned investment of toilet facilities within parks and cemeteries are expected to be completed by the end of November 2023, with water and electricity supplies to be capped off at the site.

"It is being demolished following several inspections which found the building to be unsafe, making it unsuitable for alternative uses.

"The council parks team met with NWIBLT on Monday 6 November to discuss potential plans for the site, with another meeting planned in the new year.

The two composting toilets in Whitehouse Park had been closed for repair and as a result of vandalism - but both have now been fixed and are back in use.