Changing Places toilets are to be installed at Greenhead Park in Huddersfield and Slaithwaite Civic Hall.

Kirklees Council has secured £192,000 in funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for Greenhead Park and Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall and both toilets will be installed by March 2024.

Back in June 2022 the council announced £90,000 for three Changing Places toilets – facilities for people with disabilities – at Slaithwaite Civic Hall, Mirfield Library and Dewsbury Market.

However, due to changes planned for Mirfield Library and a large-scale re-development of Dewsbury Market, only the toilets at Slaithwaite are going ahead at this time.

The Changing Places toilets will include a ceiling mounted hoist, changing bench, peninsular toilet, height adjustable wash basin, mobile privacy screen and grab rails to support people using the facility.

Clr Jackie Ramsay, Cabinet member for health and social care, said: “It is vital that Kirklees is as open and accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities so they can live confident and independent lives. I am therefore delighted that we can expand our offer of Changing Places toilets in Kirklees.

“These facilities are a lifeline for people and their carers who often must choose between going out and staying at home because of their needs.

“This work also aims to tackle inequalities, create more inclusive spaces and communities whilst enabling people with disabilities to be more independent in their everyday life.”

Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “We have exciting regeneration plans and aspirations for Kirklees of which accessibility is key.

“Having new Changing Places toilets are part of the council’s wider review of existing facilities and I hope that the installation of modular Changing Places toilets at Greenhead Park and Oakwell Hall will attract visitors who may not usually come.

“Making Kirklees places and spaces more accessible will not only support residents but will also support a thriving local economy.”

On the changes to the funding plans from 2022, a council spokesman said: “The council originally bid for – and was awarded – funding from the Changing Places Fund for installations at Slaithwaite Civic Hall, Mirfield Library and Dewsbury Market.

“The re-profiling of development planned for Mirfield Library and Dewsbury Market meant that the installations could no longer be delivered within the timescales set by the Government.

“Funding was re-directed, with approval from DLUHC, to the Slaithwaite Civic Hall installation and also a new facility created at Civic Centre 1, Huddersfield.

“Slaithwaite Civic Hall Trust is leading on the installation of the Changing Places toilet facility at Slaithwaite Civic Hall with completion planned for the end of March 2024.

“The council is progressing installations of modular Changing Places toilets at Greenhead Park and Oakwell Hall, Birstall, with funding from Round 2. Completion is also planned for the end of March.”