THE facilities at a popular Leigh wharf are in line for a major revamp.

Southend Council, which owns Bell Wharf, in Old Leigh, has applied to its own planning department for permission to extend the existing toilet block.

The plans would see an extra toilet and two indoor showers added to the current facilities.

The toilet block, which currently has four toilets and two outdoor showers, was refurbished in 2003, but the council wants to further improve the facilities on offer.

In a council document, a spokesman said: “The facilities are well used and demand in summer months is excessive.

“The proposed works are to improve the provision of public facilities within Old Leigh, with the aim of maintaining and promoting opportunities in Southend, whilst delivering opportunities for leisure and community uses that reflects the council’s long term commitment to tourism.

“The design is to inspire all who use the facility, one that will make a positive statement in the community through quality of design and materials and a sense of place that promotes a sense of inclusion and community ownership.”

The application documents show the facilities will be aimed at visiting sailors, but there will be a small charge for access to the changing rooms, which will go towards cleaning costs.

Paul Gilson, of the Southend and Leigh Fishermen’s Association, welcomed the plans, but criticised the council for reducing toilet facilities when the wharf was refurbished 13 years ago.

He said: “They are nice and clean and functional but what we have now is less than what we had before.

“We do need something extra because it’s not good to see big queues for the toilets during busy periods.

“There is a big area that they haven’t made best use of so if they are going to make use of that then that is good, but if it is going to be an extension to the footprint of the building then we would object because we need the space on the wharf.”