Cllr Mike Bell

Trop demolition agreed – but group still wants to save it

After 11 years of dashed hopes, a decision to demolish the Tropicana was approved by executive councillors on Tuesday – to the disappointment of a group of businessmen who harboured hopes of developing the site.

Last month a North Somerset Council working party charged with finding an answer ruled there were no viable projects left on the table – and recommended demolition.

However, Puxton Park owner Derek Mead put forward proposals at the meeting on behalf of a new consortium – which includes Grand Pier co-owner Kerry Michael and Worle businessman Guillio Ellis – in a last attempt to save the landmark.

They proposed forming a charitable trust, alongside the council, to create a community project and restore the attraction.

But this proposal was rejected by executive members who felt this would drag out the process of making a final decision.

Deputy leader of the council, Elfan Ap Rees, said: “Enough is enough; we have been trying for years to do something on this site.

“Demolition isn’t going to start tomorrow and there is an opportunity for them to come forward with a credible and viable solution, but we cannot just defer this forever and ever.”

Councillors Mike Bell, Richard Tucker and John Crockford-Hawley asked for the decision to be deferred to full council, to give the authority time to look in detail at the plans put forward by the consortium and to allow all the councillors of Weston to make a decision.

Council leader Nigel Ashton said the process of demolition would not start until the new year and there would still be time for interested parties to submit proposals for the site.

He said: “Anyone can put their plans in front of us before Christmas because nothing would have happened by then. Deferring this it just avoiding taking a decision instead of facing up to it.”

Members of the consortium voiced their disappointment at the decision.

Mr Michael said: “It’s not a good day for Weston and we are very disappointed with the decision, but that won’t stop us from taking the opportunity to put something back there.

“Their minds were made up a long time ago and if their minds are set on demolishing it, they are going to do that no matter what we come up with.

“It doesn’t encourage myself and others to spend money on plans knowing in the back of their minds their decision is to demolish it.”

Mr Mead said: “I think it’s not all lost. If they stick by what they say then there is still room to talk about it, and we have still got a chance. We hope to meet with the council about this as soon as we can.”