As a consequence of the proposals to redevelop the Tropicana baths site on Weston seafront there is a need to relocate the adjacent Grade II listed pavilion. The pool has been empty and in very poor condition for a number of years. Now, new development proposals for the site, including a leisure pool, cinema, bowling alley, hotel, restaurants, cafes and bars, necessitating new flood defences have been submitted on behalf of Henry Boot Developments for this Council owned site. RPS produced the planning application documents, the Environmental Statement, and the Heritage Statement for the proposal.
The former swimming pool site is circa 93 x 86m. It originally housed the town’s magnificent open-air pool, which was built in 1937, and featured an ornate art-deco diving stage (now long gone) to allow bathers to reach the sea without the long sandy trek to reach the tide. The pool was refurbished, and extended in the 1950s and 1970s, before its final rebrand as Tropicana in 1981.
The proposal will provide a new mixed-use leisure development to attract more visitors and contribute to the urban regeneration ambitions of the Council. The proposals were the subject of a three-day public exhibition in late 2007. The proposed development will provide underground parking provision, as well as a stunning new public piazza.
As part of the site redevelopment, the promenade height will require raising by 1.45m for flood defence improvement, and a secondary flood defence wall with new floodgates will be installed.
The pavilion will be moved, together with its bay, some 100 metres south along the promenade. The stone structure was originally built during the 1880s Seafront Improvement Scheme, and features steps at each end leading to a partially glazed viewing gallery with timber pillars, flanked by four ornate steel Corinthian columns supporting a timber roof with lead covering.
It is expected that the proposals will be considered by North Somerset Council in June 2008.
For more information please contact:
RPS Cardiff - Planning & Development
T: +44 (0) 2920 668 662