Drive for unisex toilets is flushed down the pan under new planning rules

PUBLIC buildings will have to provide separate gents and ladies loos under new planning rules — flushing away campaigners’ hopes for gender-neutral ones.

The move, to help ensure privacy, has been branded a “kick in the teeth to the woke mob”.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick is to amend building regulations to enforce separate loos in new buildings and those being refurbished.

It follows a review of the ratio of male to female toilets and claims that women were finding it harder to locate single-sex loos.

A source said: “Too often, separate sex toilets are being removed by stealth.

“We’ve listened to concerns raised by women and the elderly about their security, dignity and safety.”

It is understood partitions would be required in existing unisex facilities.

Ex-Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: “To me, it’s right sexes have separate loos. Most women would prefer it.

“It’s a kick in the teeth for the woke mob.”

Bosses at London’s Old Vic theatre were criticised in 2019 after gender-neutral loos were put in.

The BBC, Channel 4 and the Home Office also have them.