North Devon Council has approved plans to make a number of its public accessible toilets more stoma-friendly, improving inclusivity for residents and visitors.
The improvements were agreed by the Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday 5 January 2026 and follow a motion proposed by Councillor Bell at a full Council meeting in November 2025.
The upgrades will see accessible toilets improved with additional features such as shelves, hooks and mirrors. These changes are intended to help people living with a stoma use public facilities more comfortably.
A total of 11 accessible toilet locations across the district will be upgraded, with work taking place over the coming months.
The 11 locations to be upgraded are:
- The Cattle Market, Barnstaple
- Pilton Park
- Croyde Village
- Croyde Beach
- Woolacombe
- Bicclescombe Park
- Wilder Road
- Intsow
- Kiln, Combe Martin
- Mortehoe Car Park
- The Pier, Ilfracombe
Councillor Graham Bell said: “There are more than 200,000 people living with a stoma in the UK, and around 300 in North Devon alone. As a nurse I am aware that many stoma users report anxiety about leaving their homes due to a lack of suitable toilet facilities, which can lead to social isolation and impact wellbeing. These improvements are a practical way to make our public facilities more inclusive, helping people feel more confident and supported when they are out in the community.”
Further information will be shared as the work progresses, with updates available on North Devon Council's website and Facebook page.