Tropicana complex plans submitted

A car park planned for the beach has been dropped.

Developers behind a £30m project to regenerate Weston-super-Mare's Tropicana have submitted their planning application.

The plans for the former open-air pool on the sea front include a restaurant, multiplex cinema, bowling alley shops, a swimming pool and car parking.

A spokesman for developers, Henry Boot, said as soon as it received the go-ahead it was able to proceed.

But some opponents are calling for the old pool to be restored.

'Plans modified'

Campaigner Dick Whittington said: "I want to see decent swimming facilities for the people of Weston-super-Mare with supportive shops, cafes, restaurants and activities for youngsters.

"This is not the same as the developers are offering. They are going to knock the place down and only use the surrounding walls."

If planning permission is granted by North Somerset Council then the developers are confident the new building could open in two years time.

Earlier this month the plans were modified - reducing the height by 10m (32.8ft) after people living in the seaside town were given an opportunity to comment on the design.

A car park on the beach next to the complex has also been scrapped.

Developers Henry Boot said "substantial changes" had been made to the plans which reflected residents' opinions.

Last November, 55,000 homes were sent details of plans and invited to a series of exhibitions.

Around 1,000 people attended and nearly 400 questionnaires returned.