A DISUSED public toilet and a council building that have become "a magnet for anti-social behaviour" could be demolished and the area converted into a public space.

It would cost owners Somerset West and Taunton Council £110,000 to bulldoze Flook House and the former public convenience off Station Road.

The authority's scrutiny committee will hear tomorrow (Wednesday) that the two premises add "limited value" to SWT's property portfolio when compared to maintenance costs and capital investment needed.

The toilets were closed more than eight years ago and the building has not been used since and is deteriorating.

A report to the meeting says: "This and the rear of Flook House have become a magnet for anti-social behaviour."

Surveys suggest £22,000 would need to be spent immediately to bring Flook House up to standard, while a further £220,000 is needed to modernise it and improve accommodation standards.

The report adds: "The recommendations of this report are to demolish both properties and remove the ongoing liabilities for Somerset West and Taunton Council.

"The area to then be utilised as an extension to the public space removing the opportunities for antisocial behaviour through activities no longer being shielded by the buildings."

The committee is being recommended to support spending £20,000 to demolish the toilets and £90,000 to knock down Flook House, home to a number of organisations.

If the demolition project is not supported, councillors will be asked to set aside £220,000 to update Flook House.

The building currently brings in £14,810 in annual rent and is valued at around £275,000.