The decision to demolish the Tropicana is to be reviewed Credit: ITV West
Councillors in North Somerset have voted unanimously to review the demolition of the Tropicana on Weston-super-Mare's seafront. The plans will now also go to public consultation.
The decision has been welcomed by the campaign group "Don't Drop The Trop" who have been fighting to save it. Its planning consultant, Amanda Sutherland says
“We are delighted that the councillors have made it clear that any works at this site should be fully scrutinised by both councillors and the public.
"We ask for all concerned residents to give their support by objecting to the demolition of the building and supporting our application to provide Weston and North Somerset with a quality swimming complex.”
North Somerset Council is to outline details of how it intends to demolish the derelict Tropicana outdoor pool in Weston-super-Mare, almost a year after voting to do so. Opponents are still hoping to block the move, which has been delayed pending a hearing at the High Court on November 29th.
The Tropicana used to be a major attraction on Weston-super-Mare seafront Credit: ITV West
The Tropicana has been derelict for more than 10 years Credit: ITV West
Plans to demolish the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare have been delayed after campaigners won the right to a legal challenge. North Somerset Council wants to knock down the former seafront swimming pool which has been derelict for more than a decade.
The council had been given approval to demolish by the Government. An application for a judicial review into the legality of that decision will be heard at the High Court in November.
Lib-dem Councillor says decision to demolish Tropicana is a 'whitewash'
Six Conservative councillors took the decision to demolish the Tropicana in the face of public opposition. One Conservative Minister has rubber stamped their decision. This has got whitewash splashed all over it.
There is an alternative plan, the building is not beyond its useful life and many people want to see the site saved as a leisure development. On all three fronts Conservative councillors and now Conservative ministers have not listened.
This is very disappointing news but does not end the fight."
– Councillor Mike Bell, eader of the opposition Liberal Democrat Group on North Somerset Council
Councillor welcomes decision to demolish Tropicana
We welcome the Secretary of State's decision. Over the last 12 years there have been three schemes to develop this seafront site, all of which involved knocking down the current structure.
For one reason or another, these schemes did not go ahead. We welcome the fact that the Secretary of State has recognised the efforts made by the council in attempting to redevelop the Tropicana site and the process for site demolition will now begin."
Campaigners have been trying to find alternatives to save the derelict building Credit: ITV West
The demolition of the derelict Tropicana building in Weston-super-Mare has been given the go ahead by the Government. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP, approved the application to get rid of it, after it was referred to the government in March.
Plans to find viable alternatives by campaigners have been unsuccessful.
North Somerset Council say the Secretary of State confirmed the following things in his decision letter.
-The building has not been subject to deliberate neglect or disrepair
-The scheme proposed by Trop (WSM) Ltd is neither viable nor deliverable.
-The demolition of the Tropicana and its return to beach and sea wall would have a positive impact on the Conservation Area and the tourist sector.
