Plans have been submitted for a small, fully accessible wooden toilet at St Gregory's Church on Village Street, Offchurch, Leamington Spa.

The Grade II-listed Norman church stands at the heart of the rural village, which dates back to Saxon times and is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

St Gregory's Church, originally founded by the Saxon King Offa and largely rebuilt by the Normans in the 12th century, features a mix of Saxon, Norman, and later architecture, including a 15th-century tower and a modern Millennium Window created by a local artist.

The church is now seeking permission to install a small, freestanding toilet on the north side of the tower. 

The proposed structure has been redesigned following a previously approved 2015 plan that was not implemented due to accessibility issues (image via planning application)

The proposed structure has been redesigned following a previously approved 2015 plan that was not implemented due to accessibility issues. 

The planning application states: "We originally applied for and were granted permission to build a toilet in the same location in 2015, but we were at that point unable to find a way for wheelchair users to access the toilet.

"We have had the toilet redesigned with a smaller footprint, and we can then construct a ramp from the north door of the church to the toilet with access still on the north side as required by the Conservation Office."

The revised version includes a ramp and a smaller footprint, with efforts made to reduce the visual impact. 

The building will be made from timber to blend with its surroundings and remain "hidden from view from Village Street and School Hill."

According to the planning application, the facility is essential for making the church more usable for services, concerts, art exhibitions, and visitors:"For the church to continue to offer services and other events such as concerts and our regular art exhibitions, a toilet really is an essential requirement. 

The church is now seeking permission to install a small, freestanding toilet on the north side of the tower (image via planning application)

"It is very embarrassing to have to tell people that we have no toilet. 

"We believe that the provision of such a basic facility will help to make the church viable for worship and other events for the future."

Due to the historic nature of the site, construction will be carefully managed, whereby an archaeologist will be present during the excavation to protect any heritage assets. 

The new design avoids marked graves and, in accordance with Historic England's requirements, will be entirely freestanding, ensuring no physical impact on the church building itself.

The full planning application can be viewed here.

Due to the historic nature of the site, construction will be carefully managed (image via planning application)

The full planning application can be viewed here.