THE National Trust is seeking permission to build two toilet blocks in an iconic Lakeland beauty spot.

Charity bosses want to improve the facilities at Wasdale to cater for the 250,000 people who visit each year. The plans will go before the Lake District National Park Authority’s development panel next month.

Marian Silvester, the National Trust’s General Manager in the West Lakes said: “A huge number of people come to Wasdale Head and Lake Head and want to spend a penny before setting off to climb Scafell Pike. It’s taken a number of years to get to the right solution. We looked at ease of access, practicality and, most importantly in this very special valley, something that would cause the least overall impact. As Wasdale Head in particular, there is no perfect location for a new building. But there is a clear need for toilets. We have involved experts and shared our plans with our community and on our website. We believe this proposal causes the least negative impact overall.”

The Trust is proposing seven toilets in a 50 square metre building next to the car park, forming part of a field wall.

Building materials are intended to blend into the landscape and are locally sourced.

It is one of four locations considered by the National Trust and independent experts.

All are in a flood risk area and the Trust’s plans take this into account.

The building is on a raised floor with raised electrical points and work will be done to reduce pooling and flooding from surface water.

At the National Trust’s campsite, Lake Head, the proposal is for 11 toilets.

If planning permission is granted and funding secured, work is expected to start in September, with an opening in Easter 2020.