A funding bid to replace the public toilets next to Rye station has been rejected.
Proposals to knock down the toilets and install new facilities had been given the go ahead by Rye Town Council in June subject to funding. The council agreed to put in a bid for £200,000 from the Rother Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy.
"The panel making the decision were supportive of our plans," said Rebekah Gilbert who has been leading Station Approach toilets project for the council. "They said it was a good proposal but told us we need both the lease for the building and a charity to run it."
She told Rye Town Council on Monday 20 July that she had been encouraged to bid again in October if the issues with the lease and charity had "progressed further."
The toilets are owned by Network Rail and leased to Rother District Council.
"It's been a constant battle to get them sorted," said Rye Mayor Chris Hoggart. "This council would love to take them on but we just don't have the cash. We would definitely do a better job if we had the funding."
Under the proposals, the toilets would be knocked down and replaced with a new modular building, one built off-site ready for installation.