From Public Loos to Posh Pads: The Drumquin Transformation
A tale of toilets and tenacity in Co Tyrone
Ladies and gentlemen, gather round! We’re taking you to the quaint little village of Drumquin, where someone has decided that a former public toilet deserves a second chance at life. Yes, you heard it right—a loo, the throne of endless gossip, is to be converted into a *one-bedroom apartment*. Talk about flushing out the competition!
The whole concept comes hot on the heels of a council decision to auction this prized public facility, with a guide price of £15,000 to £20,000. Honestly, for that kind of dough, you might expect to find five-star amenities… but instead, you’ll likely enjoy the sweet smell of nostalgia. After all, what’s more homey than a place where strangers have attested to their most urgent needs? It’s *bog standard* living, folks!
But it seems not everyone is on board with the plans. Oh no, there’s always one, isn’t there? One local resident has lodged an objection, claiming that the new structure could block their view. I mean, how awful it must be to rear your curtains each morning and see an improvement in your neighborhood!
But the gallant new owner claims the upgrade will be a marvel, ripping out that “unsightly structure” and providing a *sustainable addition* that contributes to local housing needs. However, I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but feel that charming odor wafting through the air might put a damper on that charm offensive. Maybe we should put a little “Air Freshener” sign on the door!
According to the plans, the new pad will be conveniently located, just a stone’s throw from local amenities. Drink up the ambiance of community living! Can you imagine having neighbours, who at one time were full-on strangers releasing some long-standing pressure, now being just a wall away? Talk about intimacy!
Originally, the old loo had the potential to be a burgeoning business. Can you picture it? A café with *unbeatable* seating arrangements—just bring your own paper! But alas, the new owner has deemed it “too small” for any commercial entanglements. A real shame that a prime location can’t house a business dedicated to the well-being arising from a good cup of coffee…. on a sturdy toilet seat!
If this audacious venture goes ahead, folks, this could be the first public toilet in Northern Ireland to be transformed into living accommodation. It’s a bold step, giving this loo a royal flush of dignity!
What an absolute corker of a story! Turning a toilet into a trendy apartment? Now that’s a script for a sitcom if ever I’ve heard one! Interested parties might want to fight over the beige walls—nothing says “luxury living” like shades of toilet! Who wouldn’t want to open their e-mails while enjoying the soft echo of, shall we say, ambiance from the past?
Meanwhile, one local’s objections have me in stitches. You can’t make this stuff up! Is there a “Toilet View Appreciation Club” in town? If so, that resident will surely stand as its founding member. And while our brave new owner battles the sceptics, let’s give him a round of applause for turning a public convenience into private comfort—now that’s innovation we can all get behind!
You can always depend on the Sunday World to uncover a compelling story.
The public toilet in Drumquin is to be transformed into a one-bedroom apartment
Plans for a new apartment in a Co Tyrone village could be described as bog standard.
The unique residential project will transform a former public toilet situated in Drumquin into a modern one-bedroom apartment.
The loo was put up for sale earlier this year by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000.
However, not everyone is happy, with one local resident lodging an objection to the apartment plans.
The resident, residing next to the former loo, claims the extension may impede the view from their property.
However, the new owner of the toilet block insists that the transformation will be beneficial for the village.
“The proposal to upgrade and modernise the existing building will remove an unsightly structure that offers the potential for loitering,” reads a supportive statement submitted with the planning application.
“The proposal is a sustainable and well-integrated addition to the village and contributes to local housing needs.
“Due to its central location, the property is exceptionally accessible, being within walking distance of the village amenities.”
“The proposal will adhere to a high standard of design and is expected to be a valuable addition to the locality.”
Great interest surrounded the former toilet during its sale.
Originally, it was believed the building could be converted for business use.
However, in the supporting statement, the new owner claims the building does not provide adequate space for any form of “commercial or industrial enterprise.”
If given the green light, it’s projected that the Drumquin loo could be the first former public toilet in Northern Ireland converted into living accommodation.
What are the potential community impacts of transforming historical structures into modern living spaces?
Ject will provide a unique living space while revitalizing a previously unused structure, ensuring the history of the site is preserved in a modern context.”
The transformation of the former public toilet into a one-bedroom apartment has generated mixed reactions within the community. While some view it as an innovative use of space that addresses housing shortages, others express concerns over the potential aesthetic and practical implications it may have on the surrounding area.
The planning authorities are currently reviewing objections and support statements as they deliberate on the housing project’s feasibility and impact on local residents. If approved, this unique residential project could set a precedent for similar conversions of unconventional buildings in the future.
