HAVING read that the decision on the Tropicana development has been delayed for three weeks and that further comments have been requested, please find below my comments: All

HAVING read that the decision on the Tropicana development has been delayed for three weeks and that further comments have been requested, please find below my comments:All residents of Weston are well aware that the provision of swimming facilities (water park) is an absolute and long overdue necessity and consequently should be supported wholeheartedly.However, the scale of the supporting project proposed by Henry Boot appears to be somewhat excessive and very much 'over the top'.In a town that already has an abundance of restaurants, covering a wide variety of tastes and menu prices, is there really a need for an extra 12 restaurants?If this project goes ahead on this scale the result could be either of two scenarios;The development fails to attract the required number of operators and many of the restaurant units are left vacant and boarded up, resulting in an unsightly 'white elephant', or the units are filled completely, which would then put undue pressure on existing restaurants in the town, with the distinct possibility that many of these would go out of business. Another concern is the proposal for a 96-bedroom hotel. Does the town need another hotel when many of the existing hotels are already struggling?Local hoteliers have long been battling against a variety of difficulties, increased operating costs due to implementation of the mass of legislative demands (health and safety, etc). Now it appears increased competition in an already extremely competitive market is to be added to the list. Several hotels in the town are derelict or being converted into flats (Dorville, Bayside, etc) and the arrival of this proposed new hotel could spell disaster. My recommendation is for the Tropicana proposals with the exception of the swimming and water park to be scaled down to a much smaller development.If this scaled-down development proved successful, further additions and extensions could be added at a later date.CYRIL EGGINGTON - Proprietor, The Royal Hotel, South Parade, Weston