The Tropicana is facing demolition.
Tropicana set for demolition
Bethan Evans, Reporter
Monday, November 28, 2011
3:57 PM
WESTON’S Tropicana looks set to be pulled down, after the group charged with making a decision on its future recommended the once-proud landmark be demolished.
The North Somerset Council working party met today to discuss the results of the survey it sent out at the end of October in a last ditch attempt to find a developer for the site.
Chairman of the working party Elfan Ap Rees said: “There was a consensus from everyone that none of the proposals were viable. The last thing we wanted to do was to get rid of it but sometimes you have to make tough decisions.”
The working party voted by six votes to three in favour of recommending demolition.
The Tropicana has lain dormant for more than a decade, while three separate regeneration attempts have floundered.
Councillor Mike Bell, who is a member of the working party, said: “This is a very sad day for Weston. The decision to demolish the Tropicana lets down present and future generations of Weston people and consigns a historic part of our town’s sea front to the scrap heap.
“I spoke and voted against this decision because we cannot honestly say that we have done everything we can to save the site.”
The final decision will be made by the North Somerset Council executive on December 13.
42 comments
Destruction of a Landmark building goes against 3quarters of residents wishes. Lets face it, WSM doesn't have many landmarks. Protest by emailing your councillor. As for creating more beach, what they really mean is creating more car parking for which they will charge. Don't think you'll get any benefits from this decision.
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sphuzz
Monday, December 5, 2011
Destruction of a Landmark building goes against 3quarters of residents wishes. Lets face it, WSM doesn't have many landmarks. Protest by emailing your councillor. As for creating more beach, what they really mean is creating more car parking for which they will charge. Don't think you'll get any benefits from this decision.
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sphuzz
Monday, December 5, 2011
As a frequent visitor to Weston.I have watched with interest over the last 8 years, the antics of that comedy act,called town council. After all the ideas put forward,one or two excellent.others rubbish.They have at last come with a mind blowing idea.Lets blow it up.Talk about line of least resistance..Wow
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sensai
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Gruf , I am up for this! or perhaps a protest outside his own address which is on the council website! Elfan AP Rees needs to go!!!!!
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REESOUT
Friday, December 2, 2011
I bet if someone submitted plans for creating this into a second helicopter musem they would be approved and funded instantly!!! RESIGN ELFAN AP REES RESIGN!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS BLOKE IS A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY!
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REESOUT
Friday, December 2, 2011
Well finally they have made a decision, the wrong one i feel but this should have been resolved a decade ago when things were not as bad as they are now. The council have dismissed every option put to them, with NO thought of the wishes of the people of weston, they have no backbone.
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maple girl
Friday, December 2, 2011
The site should be cleared of rubbish and tidied up. Then all plans for its redevelopment should be temporarily mothballed until such time as everyone (public included) are able to debate the matter and plans for the site in an orderly fashion. Recession and financial constraints, should you wish to look at history, have provided some excellent decisions and business cases.
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Somersetborn&bred
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Elfan Ap Rees even abstained from the crucial vote on this. Shameful! This man has to go.
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Weston2010
Thursday, December 1, 2011
I would agree with that Mike-wsm...there is a similar type of boardwalk in Barcelona which is popular. Not everyone wants to sit on the sand and its a great alternative...not sure about the dogs though ;)
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T-Bone
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Pleb - I am sure others will recognise my allusion to a former issue much discussed on the Mercury Forums!
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mike-wsm
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Yes Mike-wsm, that;s just what this twon needs - a small wooden board-walk pier. People would come from all over the world to walk their dogs on that!!!!! Pleb.
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intheloop
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Perhaps we might build something smaller in its place - how about a small wooden board-walk pier - dogs welcome of course!
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mike-wsm
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hear! Hear! Let's get the whole thing knocked down so we won't get anymore "wild goose chase" projects that end up with nothing. Of course, we'd all like to see a swimming pool there (although not if it means the Henry Boot type monstrosity), but let's face it, it isn't going to happen. The Council can't afford it, and I don't see anyone willing to pay substantial more Council Charge to fund it. And there aren't investors with realistic plans. We do however, need toilets and a cafe at that spot. Maybe the front buildings could be adapted?
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Roger Jones
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Elfan Ap Rees needs to go. If it had been an helecopter landing pad it would have been different.
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alan day
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
finally some good news knock this old heap of s*** down!
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worriedofweston
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Over the years enough people have spoken about turning this eyesore back into a working business, but time and time again it came to nothing. Knock it down clear the space !
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The Ghost
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
It's about time that decrepit old hulk came down. Every plan ever put forward to develop the Trop has been dashed, either by the council or mouthy residents more concerned with a romantic yet hopelessly backward view of what Weston should look like. Good riddance to the damn thing.
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shameless contrarian
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Decryption assistance: app ap, incompitance incompetence, conifidance confidence, bungerling bungling, bafoons buffoons, lead led, railroded railroaded.
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mike-wsm
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
how about forming an online group to get app rees sacked for incompitance or at least get a vote of no conifidance this town deserves better than the bungerling bafoons lead by this man who has basically railroded over everyone in this town
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gruf
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Blame the people of Hutton and Locking who keep electing Elfan Ap Rees as their councillor. Let's face it, he should've gone ages ago, just like many of the councillors who screwed any real chance of the Tropicana being redeveloped. Maybe the Tropicana being bulldozed is needed in order for people to stop putting these people in a position of power?
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Weston2010
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Once again elfan rees has let the town of Weston down. How long has he lived here? dosnt he know this is a victorian town ans oh so often when its too late the likes of rees complain that the old buildings have been demolished. "We have tried for 11 years to find a solution, ELEVEN YEARS listen to yourself you say it like its 11 days. Dissgracefull .The councillors should hang there heads in shame, then resign. TOTEENDTONY
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tony baker
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
In light of Weston not seeing much of the sea we could have desperately done with something along the lines of Portishead outdoor pool or even Tinside Lido in Plymouth to compliment the developments already completed or due to be completed in the town to benefit both residents and tourists alike. A massive missed opportunity if the bulldozers move in.
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Big Dan
Monday, November 28, 2011
In light of Weston not seeing much of the sea we could have desperately done with something along the lines of Portishead outdoor pool or even Tinside Lido in Plymouth to compliment the developments already completed or due to be completed in the town to benefit both residents and tourists alike. A massive missed opportunity if the bulldozers move in.
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Big Dan
Monday, November 28, 2011
In light of Weston not seeing much of the sea we could have desperately done with something along the lines of Portishead outdoor pool or even Tinside Lido in Plymouth to compliment the developments already completed or due to be completed in the town to benefit both residents and tourists alike. A massive missed opportunity if the bulldozers move in.
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Big Dan
Monday, November 28, 2011
North Somerset Council are a bunch of clueless buffoons and this just proves the point further.
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Big Dan
Monday, November 28, 2011
What chance did the Tropicana have with Ap-Rees as chair of the working party??? Clearly the leader of the council, his side-kick and elected mates on the executive have wanted demolition and now Weston gets what seems to be the majority of the electorate didn't want! One thing seems obvious ... we have a bunch of clueless idiots managing a multi-million pound business (NSC) - time for change .... please.
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nj
Monday, November 28, 2011
I find it hard to fathom out this decision, first too much red tape with the Old Pier?, then health and safety issues with the roof on Knight Stone Baths? and now The Open Air PoolTropicana are they all really that ignorant and with no foresight. Just a thought: Why do people come here, simple to see the sea then surly the highest footfall must be on the promenade. The obvious corse of action based on the facts then is to let the Old Pier slip silently in to the Sea, build houses on Knight Stone Island and demolish the open air pool and as a final insult have the taxpayers pay for it at a 14 of a million. Idiots, Morons, and people that walk between the rain drops who have not an inclin of public opinion or no desire to listen you carry on like this people, it us who voted you in and it will be us that vote you OUT.
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Graham Bailey
Monday, November 28, 2011
This useless Council well and truly messed up Knightstone Island by granting consent for the appaulling block of flats. Not satisfied with that they have well and truly messed up with the Tropicana. What will be their next example of their gross incompetence in running this town a car park in Grove Park??
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keith
Monday, November 28, 2011
Fine words butter no parsnips. Many pressure groups have expressed their opinions but none were able to produce a viable business plan. High time to get on with demolition. Kboooom!
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mike-wsm
Monday, November 28, 2011
so the council have wasted so much money over the years on this. app rees ought to be sacked for his part in this debarcle there have been many ideas put forward that were viable including the one from nightingale only to be messed around by nsc its disgusting they are going to get away with this
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gruf
Monday, November 28, 2011
At the very least this site should have been turned into an open amphitheatre - it would have had an amazing backdrop for concerts, theatre productions etc. Simply put, this decision is a reflection of the calibre of councillors we have in our midst - appalling!
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Mukiwa
Monday, November 28, 2011
3 quarters of a million pounds !
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GuerrillaMarigolds
Monday, November 28, 2011
3 quarters of a million pounds !
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GuerrillaMarigolds
Monday, November 28, 2011
that should read 34 million pounds
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GuerrillaMarigolds
Monday, November 28, 2011
NO ! NO ! NO ! demolition and returning to beach is the worst possible option. Even if the structure is removed the footprint reaching out across the beach should be retained as a space behind a seawall. This could be used for band concerts, open air theatre, roller skating, skateboarding, tai chi classes and erection of temporary facilities. Also Toilets need to be retained. To spend 34million pounds of taxpayers money and as a result have absolutely nothing to show for it would be a criminal waste. Loss of a potential facility which will never be recovered .. to get more beach. This is lazy lazy governance.
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GuerrillaMarigolds
Monday, November 28, 2011
About time too...just a shame the residents didn't back the plans put forward long ago when they were affordable.
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T-Bone
Monday, November 28, 2011
Flying in the face of the wishes of the majority of the population of Weston who want a Sea-Front Pool.
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Dave Townsend
Monday, November 28, 2011
Shocking decision in view of the hundreds of thousands required to get rid of it, and the millions more wasted in fruitless council meetings over the last 10 years. Its far better to spend money on something of value that would bring in tourists than spend money removing it. Weston's worst downfall as a holiday resort is its lack of bathing water at low tide. The Tropicana did at least provide a swim to the kids who were disappointed by the beach.
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Bucket and Spade brigade
Monday, November 28, 2011
Nice one!
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Weston2010
Monday, November 28, 2011
Terrible decision made by the Tory councillors who are just plain unwilling to invest properly in this town; they are unable to see past profit and their own self-interest.
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Dave Townsend
Monday, November 28, 2011
Common sense prevails at long last - shame it took over a decade to reach the ultimate decision to demolish the building. Please NSC ratify this decision on December 13th and move the bulldozers in quickly before the tourist season of 2012 begins.
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Teddy
Monday, November 28, 2011
No Money to spare?? Guess who pays for this demolition?
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Neptune
Monday, November 28, 2011