RESPONSES are flooding in from the questionnaire sent to villagers at St Dogmaels regarding the future of the public toilets at Poppit Sands.

The toilets are currently run by Pembrokeshire County Council but it is looking to pass on that responsibility to St Dogmaels Community Council – along with the toilets in the High Street car park – in a bid to cut costs.

However, the community council fears the financial implications of such a decision – and also the possible loss of the beach’s Blue Flag if the toilets were to close and the huge impact that would have on tourism in the area,

All homes in the village have received the questionnaire as the community council attempts to gauge feelings in the village over what action should be taken.

Cllr Jo Hutchings said there had been a tremendous response already and that people had “high feelings” about the issue.

“Other councils facing the same thing as us have been looking through the report we have prepared,” said Cllr Hutchings.

“Hopefully, we are not the only ones who are going to stand up to them.

“From our survey, many are saying that money from the car park should be used and put back into the toilets.

“One comment said that the toilets should be a priority but the local community should not have to pay for a facility that benefits the whole area.

“Another said this was an unacceptable situation and exceptionally short-sighted by both Pembrokeshire County Council and the National Park.

“People are not just filling in the questionnaires but are nearly all making comments as well.”

An earlier survey of visitors towards the end of the summer attracted more than 500 responses and the overwhelming reaction was that without toilet facilities, people would not visit the area.