Nightingale Pulls Plug On Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare

THE DEVELOPER behind the Tropicana regeneration scheme in Weston-super-Mare says he has been forced to pull the plug.

Mr Nightingale, 41, had proposed to build one of the largest water and leisure parks in the country at more than 5,000 sq/metres, which is over 10 times more than the council specified.

It would have featured some of the most advanced water rides in the world today with water slides, chutes, multiple fun pools, rivers and waterfalls as well as an ice rink.

Mr Nightingale claims he asked for yellow road lines in the area to be removed and parking to be allowed on either side of the development but says this was rejected by the council.

As a result he says he has been left bitterly disappointed by having to pull the plug after spending £1 million to date and has apologised to residents.

Mr Nightingale said: “I’m so upset, I really wanted to make it work, I’m gutted but we were up against a brick wall.

“We have worked very hard over the last fourteen months to put forward proposals for the redevelopment of the Tropicana that were voted for and supported by the local community.

“We were devastated by the council's recent rejection of our proposals, which we were given to understand was due to European legislation. 

“Since then, we have had many days of extensive talks, and have extended and re-extended our deadline to the council, but have not been able to convince them to accept.

“It was always important to us that we build a facility that residents actually want, and that our proposal would benefit Weston for years to come. 

“It has now become clear to us that sadly, this will not happen, and we have therefore been forced to withdraw accordingly.

“I sincerely apologise to residents that we are not able to make our plans a reality.

“I can assure everyone that it was not through lack of effort from our highly qualified team of industry leading water park developer, designer, and operator.

“We thank them for their commitment, and to the many thousands of residents who participated in supporting our proposals. 

“The whole team, especially myself, are heartbroken, not to see the Tropicana start a new life, as a redeveloped, first class leisure facility.”

Mr Nightingale says he was told initially by the council leader the original criteria for the scheme, which includes car parking provision, would be flexible.

However, he says this has simply not been the case and the council will not change its mind about parking because it is worried about getting sued by other developers.

Mr Nightingale added: “They have rung us through hoops and put every obstacle in our way.

“They insist we produce the scheme within the criteria, even though we were told it was flexible, because they don’t want to get sued by Havard Tisdale or previous developers.

“It’s a scandal the way this has been handled and the way we have been treated.

“At the end of the day the scheme would have benefitted Weston by £24 million a year and they should have helped us to get on with it.

“I have learned the council has made strong enquiries about knocking it down, which would cost £1 million to the tax payer.”

Nigel Ashton, council leader, said: “I am very disappointed to hear that Mr Nightingale has withdrawn from the process.

 

“The council has worked hard to be as accommodating as possible to Mr Nightingale’s requests and has done its utmost to support him as he developed his proposals.

"People should know that the council has never rejected his proposals and senior members were keen to discuss real options for his need to provide parking.

“This included a stand-alone car park development adjacent to the site.

“However, Mr Nightingale turned down all opportunities to discuss these options.

"I must make it very clear that it is entirely Mr Nightingale's decision to withdraw from the process.

“Like many people in North Somerset, the council feels strongly about the Tropicana site, but following three separate unsuccessful schemes for the Tropicana over the past ten years, the council will now need to consider carefully the future of the site.”