HISTORIC public toilets in St Giles can be turned into office space, council planning officers have ruled.

Gwyn Harries-Jones, the owner of the Galaxie Hotel in Banbury Road, had agreed a lease for the Victorian loos with Oxford City Council.

His planning application to turn the 119-year-old underground toilets into an office has now been approved.

Council planning officer Lisa Green said: “The change of use is considered acceptable as it is innovative in its approach and makes efficient use of the space.”

The city council closed the toilets, which opened in 1895, after health and safety concerns about caught-short pedestrians crossing the busy road.

The historic railings will be kept but the entrance will be covered by a glass structure.

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