A VILLAGE survey about under-offer public loos has gained 300 responses in two days.

Last week it was revealed that Scottish Borders Council (SBC) was keen to sell one of the two West Linton toilets following a “very generous offer”.

But village residents are hoping the local authority will reconsider.

A West Linton Community Council (WLCC) spokesperson said: “Our community were not consulted prior to the advertising of the sale of this community asset.

“We understand that SBC has received an unsolicited offer for the sale of the toilet closest to The Green and is keen to support this.

“SBC has advertised it for sale on the SBC website without first completing consultation with WLCC.

“SBC states that consultation beforehand would not have been meaningful.

“WLCC does not understand why this is and has not received any credible explanation from SBC.”

West Linton resident Ian Reid, who campaigned to get the loos reopened after they were shut during the COVID pandemic, said: “Today I have written to the three Tweeddale West councillors to see where they stand.”

The survey asks participants to state whether they think the council should suspend the sale to allow a “meaningful” community consultation to take place.

Last week an SBC spokesperson said: “We have received an offer for the sale of one of the two public toilet facilities in West Linton.

“The council is keen to support this sale and is progressing a consultation with the local public on the proposal.

“The sale would see the council receiving funds which are intended to be reinvested into the council’s public toilet estate including enhancing the remaining facility in West Linton.

“The balance of proceeds would be targeted on other toilet facilities elsewhere in the Borders.

“As a council we need to strike the balance between being able to ensure the provision of public toilets is sustainable whilst also meeting the needs of local communities who use these facilities.

“This is not about removing or closing facilities but retaining and enhancing albeit with a smaller footprint.”

WLCC chairman Mark McDavid said: “Consultation is hardly what is happening.

“That would have to have happened before the property was offered for sale on the SBC website. The community has only been asked for views [on] how the property should be marketed.

“There are no plans presently in existence for any changes or enhancements to the other toilet in West Linton.”