Derelict toilet block sells for more than £30,000 in Cornwall

A former public toilet block has been sold for more than the £30,000 guide price before even reaching auction. The abandoned building was set to go under the auctioneer's hammer but never made it that far due to interest.The block is situated in a prime location on Callington Road in Saltash, and was offered freehold, with a guide price of £30,000.

The block was sold by Countrywide Property Auctions South West and, subject to planning permission from Cornwall Council, would lend itself to a variety of uses.It was listed as lot number 89 and was due to be sold on public auction on Thursday, 26 May.

But the auction house selling the plot announced it had been sold prior to auction.

The company did confirm that it was sold for a higher amount than the guide price.

The block is situated along one of the main roads in Saltash linking to the A38 to Plymouth and the rest of Cornwall.

There is also a wide range of shopping, leisure and recreational facilities in the area.For local residents, it is just the latest sign of a housing market from which they say they are being priced out of.

Residents say they are struggling to buy homes in the face of competition from second home owners from outside the county.

Subject to planning permission from Cornwall Council, the new owners of the toilets could use them for a variety of purposes - besides the obvious, of course.

The building could be renovated, repaired or even transformed into a bungalow for holiday renters - or maybe demolished altogether.It has mains electricity, water and drainage, and even has its own lay-by for travellers who used to see it as a pitstop in a legs-crossed emergency.

The building could be renovated, repaired and transformed into a bungalow or holiday let.