A permanent public toilet block could be built in the Richmond Green conservation area or at the flower stall in the centre of the town.

These are among a number of options identified by council officials to combat a chronic lack of what they call 'welfare facilities'.

Details have been revealed in papers prepared for Richmond Council's Finance, Policy and Resources Committee.

Temporary toilets were set up on Richmond Green and Twickenham Green during the pandemic in response to the fact that many facilities in pubs and other locations were closed.

These were designed to deal with a rise in urination in the streets and in gardens, which caused confrontations, anger and distress.

The Council is now working on a permanent solution to the issue and has published details of four options.

• Permanent toilet block on the corner of Richmond Green at the junction of The Green and Portland Terrace – or a nearby spot.

• Flower stall, Lower George Street. This location was previously the site of a public underground toilet, which could be re-opened in some way.

• 'Walk-in' public toilet pods either on the street – as seen at locations in central London – or placed inside an existing empty shop, or shop foyer.

• Upgrade Library Toilets in Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue.

The idea of putting a permanent toilet block on Richmond Green is likely to be controversial and draw opposition from the owners of the multi-million pound properties in the area.

However, a permanent building would provide a solution to complaints from residents of people using the streets, doorways in the area as urinals.

The council paper states that one of the strengths of such a scheme is that it would offer a permanent toilet facility where there are currently temporary facilities.

It says this is 'an area where welfare facilities are expected' with 'good visibility'. It suggests they might be combined with complementary services 'such as a pop-up café'.

Under weaknesses of this idea, it states: "Conservation area will require careful consideration/high quality design solution; likely high-cost design solution; service/utility connections required; public sensitivity (stakeholder engagement key; local residents, The Richmond Society, Friends of Richmond Green); planning permission for installing permanent structure on Park's land."

Many people may not be aware that the structure housing the flower stall at The Quadrant/George Street was originally an entrance to an underground toilet.

The Council papers state: "In the heart of Richmond town centre this location is the former site of a public underground toilet

facility. The site and the immediate surrounding area was redeveloped and hardscaped many years ago and the underground toilet facility closed and now operates as a successful flower stall."

It adds: "Opportunities in this location include the placement of a new standalone toilet facility in available space adjacent to the existing flower stall, or potentially the redevelopment of this parcel of space to incorporate a new toilet facility which integrates additional services such as a flower stall."

The paper says the underground waste services and the central location are positives, however this could be an expensive solution.

The Council also supports a Community Toilet Scheme, where businesses receive some funding to allow their facilities to be used. The majority of the 55 participants have re-opened facilities following closures and COVID related restrictions. The scheme has an annual budget of £60,000.