NEW public toilets are coming to Southend seafront.

The plan is to provide the loos within the ornate Chalkwell Shelter along Chalkwell Esplanade, which currently houses a few benches.

Old toilets nearby were demolished about three years ago and since then, there have been complaints about the lack of facilities on that part of the seafront.

The work will be carried out by Danfo, which was responsible for new toilets around town, including Southend town centre, Chalkwell Park, Hamlet Court Road and Leigh.

Under the new proposals, sent to Southend Council, there will be four unisex toilets, one urinal and a changing room for disabled people.

In a statement, Danfo said: “This will create very little disturbance to the existing building and will maintain its character.

“As part of the overall works, Danfo will paint the entire public shelter building in a colour scheme to suit planners and the council.

“The new works will blend into the existing shelter with a similar rendered finish as currently exists.”

Tory Ian Robertson, the councillor responsible for public protection, added: “At the moment, the shelter is hardly being used for anything. I think this is a brilliant move and I would not have brought it forward as a project unless I thought it was important.

“Chalkwell Shelter is an important and well-known building, and if this is done properly, we can achieve an important new facility for residents and visitors as well as bringing the shelter back to use.”

The council’s development control committee is expected to vote on the plans by the end of the year.