Clearing rubbish dumped at site could cost £75K

RUBBISH dumped in Weston-super-Mare's dilapidated Tropicana is to be removed – at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds.

North Somerset Council director of development and environment David Turner has approved spending up to £75,000 on removing surplus materials dumped in the one-time landmark during work on sea defences.

The Tropicana has been vacant for the last 12 years and recently has been used by contractors Birse to dump spoil and hardcore from the £29 million project to enhance the sea defences.

Hundreds of tonnes of rubble now lies where the pool used to be. Approval has now been given for the rubbish to be removed ahead of the planned demolition of the building.

Replacement Combi Boiler from £1,850 with a 7 year warranty!!!

Bristol Plumbing and Heating Company

View details

Print voucher

Thinking about upgrading your old boiler, why not take advantage of our fantastic offer High efficiency, condensing combination boilers, from the excellent Worcester Bosch range with a 7 year warrant

Contact: 0117 370 8042

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

A council spokesman said: "We are currently removing non-hazardous surplus materials leftover from the seafront enhancement works, from the Tropicana site. These are the remaining materials that we have not been able to reuse.

"The material is being transported to Towens licensed yard where it will be screened and processed and recycled for various uses."

The materials being removed from the Tropicana is being done ahead of plans to demolish the building.

North Somerset Council had been granted permission by Secretary of State Eric Pickles to demolish the seaside landmark and return the area to sand.

But the demolition has been put on hold after campaigners fighting to retain the Tropicana and turn it into an all year round attraction were granted an injunction preventing it from being demolished.

Campaign group Trop (WSM) Ltd appealed against the Government's decision and the High Court granted an injunction preventing the building from being demolished until the appeal is heard on November 29.

Trop (WSM) Ltd, led by Puxton Park owner Derek Mead, wants to redevelop the Tropicana and return it to an all year round attraction with indoor and outdoor pools.