A PARISH council has asked a housing developer to pay £30,000 for new toilets as compensation for closing a road for six weeks.

Grimley Parish Council has made the request to Piper Homes to pay for the new toilets at St Bartholomew’s Church as a thanks for the “excessive disruption” caused by closing a busy road through nearby Hallow for six weeks.

The parish council said the 250 households in the village were being forced to drive between eight and 14 miles more due to the road closure.

The council’s chairman Dave Stanley said the longer journeys would total almost 70,000 miles across the six weeks – almost three times around the world – and would cost the village around £31,000.

Cllr Stanley also said the council has had to “abandon” its commitment to reducing carbon emissions for six weeks because of the road closure.

In a letter to Piper Homes boss Dave Bradley, the parish council said: “Grimley parish church has no toilet facilities whatsoever. Our church is also used by Grimley and Holt Primary School, however the lack of a toilet for the children imposes considerable limitations on this use.

“The parish has just commenced a fundraising project for the construction of these very much needed toilet and kitchen facilities. The estimated cost is in the region of £30,000 for the whole project.

“Given the circumstances and the cost and loss to the Grimley community, it would only be appropriate and reasonable if Piper Homes would, in addition to homebuilding, also further enhance their community involvement and reputation by funding the construction of this community project.

"Most of us recognise the need for the construction of new quality low environmental impact houses to meet with the growing demand, particularly for starter homes.

"However this particular development is causing excessive disruption and cost to local businesses and the community at large."

The busy main road through Hallow has been closed for two weeks to allow for gas pipes to be fitted for the village’s Piper Homes development and will remain shut until the end of the month.

Residents and business owners have already complained about the huge disruption the closure has caused.