Firm unveils leisure site scheme

Families thronged to the Tropicana as late as the 1980s

A last ditch effort is being made to save the controversial development of a leisure site in Weston-super-Mare.

The company behind the scheme, Mace, are to meet with North Somerset Council to unveil new plans and announce a new funding partner for a £20m complex.

Councillors had given the company until Thursday to come up with new proposals for the site of the Tropicana.

On Tuesday councillors will vote on the plan and, if permission is granted, building could start in June 2005.

There has been a pool on the seafront in Weston since the 1930s.

As late as the 1980s, the complex was still well-used but when takings began to fall the decision was taken to close it in the summer of 2000 and it has not been open to the public since.

Developers, Mace, want to create a new indoor pool on the seafront site, with a complex including a five-screen cinema, health club, cafes, bars, restaurants and an underground car park.

Mace was forced to modify its plans for the site after objections were lodged with North Somerset Council.