A derelict toilet block believed to be close to 100 years old could be demolished after standing empty for decades.

The underground toilets outside St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Parrock Street, Gravesend, are to be destroyed, if Gravesham council has its way.

The council has submitted an application and is now waiting for the next step.

The toilets were closed in the 1990s.

The site was bought by Gravesend construction management company, Alpha Foundation, in 2007 which planned to turn it into a charity shop, but never did.

There had been rumours circulating that the council had put a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on the property, but council leader Cllr John Burden said this was not the case. “We have an application going in for the toilets to be demolished and then to clear the area.”

He said they had spoken with the owners but there was no intention of a CPO.

“That is only ever a last resort, we would always seek to talk to people first,” said Cllr Burden.

The toilets shut because of a lack of disabled access. Instead of installing a lift or ramp, £300,000 government cash paid for a new toilet block less than a five-minute walk away in 2007.

The construction caused some controversy, with not all taking to the arty design and expense. However, it did go on to win a national design award.

Cllr Burden claimed the new block was a cheaper option than adapting the old toilets.

He said: “The toilets are very restrictive in their size down below.

“If you were going to put a disabled lift down there it would decrease the space of toilet.

“The idea of converting them was instigated by the owner but there was a lot of resistance from local residents.”

If the application goes through, the area will be paved over, which could provide space for funeral hearses and wedding cars to park before and after services.

A spokesman for Alpha said: “We are in negotiations with the council and other parties in terms of the sale, subject to planning, but nothing has yet been agreed.”