Plans to turn a former toilet block in Coalville into an office building have been revealed by North West Leicestershire District Council.

The Council has submitted an application for the 'change of use of former public conveniences to offices' in Wolsey Road.

It is an area that is undergoing redevelopment as part of the town's regeneration - with new housing already being built and the area designated as a possible site for a new railway station in Coalville if plans to re-open the Ivanhoe Line to Derby go-ahead.

But it has been made clear that the historical significance of the building means it will not be demolished to make way for the new office space.

A design, access and heritage statement with the planning application, explains the work that is intended, and its effect on the surrounding area.

The statement says: "The proposals will benefit the local economy due to the nature of the proposed usage of the former public convenience building. 

"As the building will be changed to commercial office use, this will benefit the local economy due to people working within the building generating income for businesses, and utilising businesses within the town. 

"Employment opportunities will also be created during the building and renovation work carried out on the existing building."

The statement details how the conversion would take place - and says some of the original features of the building would be retained.

It adds: "The proposals include the removal of toilet cubicles and internal walls, the construction of new internal walls, and blocking up internal doors to create usable commercial office spaces within the building. 

Submitted plans show the area to be redeveloped in Coalville. Image: North West Leicestershire District Council

"It also includes the restoration and refurbishment of many of the original historical features within the building such as existing windows and flooring.

"The existing building is located within Coalville town eentre on a principal road passing through the town. 

"It has neighbouring properties to the north and south, comprising of an existing office building to the south, and a recent housing development to the north. 

"The proposals would have minimal impact upon these buildings as there will be minimal changes to the existing public convenience building. 

"There may be a slight increase in the number of people accessing the site due to the change in use, but this would be minimal. 

"There will be a social benefit to the local community as the existing building will be redeveloped into a habitable and usable commercial space as opposed to being left unused and undeveloped.

"The existing building is redundant and empty. As it is a building of local historic interest this can't be feasibly demolished and the site reutilised and therefore in its current form can only really be utilised for its proposed use."