North Somerset Council has announced it is in the process of selling the area next to Weston-super-Mare’s Royal Pier Hotel, after proposals to sell the site four years ago were not completed.

The land in question is being sold to the Royal Pier Hotel’s freeholder with planning permission, at a price of £25,000.

The sale was originally approved back in 2012 but was not completed due to complex legal issues surrounding the Marine Parade site.

The Royal Pier Hotel was destroyed by fire in 2010 and the council is still owed more than £100,000 by owner CNM Estates for costs relating to its demolition.

The council’s executive member for asset management, David Pasley, will have responsibility for formally approving the sale of the site.

He said he was determined the council got the best return possible on the site and hoped the sale would kickstart the redevelopment of the area.

Cllr Pasley said: “I want to make sure it is sold at good value for money, as far as the council is concerned, and long-term it will mean that whole outstandingly beautiful area is given the best chance to be developed and improved.

“It is sad to see that part of Weston in such a dilapidated state.

“Members of the public will be pleased and relieved we are trying to move things on.”

Cllr Pasley’s decision is expected in the coming days.