MORE than three years after plans seemed to have been agreed to turn public toilets in Oxford into offices the Victorian loos remain closed, with work yet to take place.

For years the gentlemen of Oxford relied on the underground toilets in St Giles', by Martyrs' Memorial.

But the facilities, which date back to 1895, were closed by the city council in 2008 due to health and safety concerns for caught-short pedestrians crossing the busy road.

In 2014 Oxford City Council agreed that the toilets could be turned into office space and it is understood owners of the Galaxie Hotel in Banbury Road, Summertown, agreed a lease for the Victorian loos.

But it appears that little or no progress has been made with the scheme and the toilet block remains boarded up with leaves covering its steps.

Oxford Civic Society committee member Peter Thompson said: "These toilets were an example of Victorian public-spirited development and it appears that nothing has been done with them for the past few years.

"Visitors to St Giles would certainly benefit from public toilets so perhaps they could be restored if they are not going to be used as offices.

"We are very keen for St Giles to be turned into a piazza benefitting pedestrians, and then these toilets could have even more relevance.

"I was wondering recently what was happening with the toilets and it's hard to believe that a business would be paying rent for them if they were not being used."

When plans for the toilets to become office space were discussed in 2014, city 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."

It was agreed that historic railings would be kept but the entrance would be covered by a glass structure.

In Jackson's Oxford Journal for 1895 it was reported that 'an underground convenience has been built near the southern end of St Giles', containing two WCs and four urinals'.

It added: "These are reached by a flight of York stone steps from the surface of the street, and the structure is surrounded by a strong cast-iron railing on York stone base.

"The fittings are in the best white glazed ware, and the whole of the brickwork is lined internally with white and buff glazed bricks.

"The convenience is roofed with cement concrete carried upon steel girders, with pavement lights and cast-iron ventilators."

In 1998 the city council installed new stainless steel cisterns, toilet pans, and cubicle doors.

Last week it emerged that a former toilet block in Witney is now on the market for £500,000.

Local architect Jon Du Croz and partner Emma Lally bought the building in 2005 and spent four years designing, extending and restoring it before it was renamed Windy Corner and placed on the market.

Other character features of the three-bedroom home include stone mullioned windows and exposed brickwork.

No one from the Galaxie Hotel was available for comment.