Underground parking at Tropicana

The Tropicana on Weston's sea front has been derelict for years

The developers of the Tropicana leisure complex in Weston-super-Mare have been asked to rethink plans for car parking.

North Somerset Council said it had discussed its and the public's concerns with Henry Boot's architects who have proposed an alternative idea.

The car park will now be built mostly under the building removing the need for a car park on the beach.

Councillor Ap Rees said: "I have asked Henry Boot to pursue this option and resolve the issues."

He added: "I hope this public consultation will still take place later this summer, but am prepared to accept a short delay in the interests of getting the final design right."

It is hoped final plans for the £30m project, which will see a 96 room hotel, indoor leisure pool, cinema, bowling alley, restaurants and bars, will be submitted later this year.

If all goes to plan, the complex is expected to open by spring 2010.

There has been a pool on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare since the 1930s, but declining visitor numbers in the 1990s saw the council vote to close the original Tropicana.