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Although the closure was due to concerns with the quarry buildings which housed the studios and café, the stone crushing plant has been deemed structurally unsound and beyond repair by surveyors.
Demolition is timed specifically to minimise disturbance for the wildlife at the site. Bird nesting season is now over and demolition must be complete before the reptile hibernation season starts next month.
Ecologists have visited the site to ensure the wildlife and ecology there are protected. Temporary bat boxes have been installed and the demolition has been licensed by Natural England. Permanent bat roosts will be constructed once the demolition is complete.
There are also Hazel Dormice and a fingertip search has been undertaken to relocate any who would have been at risk during the demolition.
Permission has also been granted to prune back trees where required to enable the demolition machinery to reach the building. Extensive tree protection fencing is also in place to ensure trees are kept safe during the work.
Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member for culture and leisure, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to progress the demolition and are working to protect the wildlife and environment at the quarry.
“Demolition of this building will reduce the number of safety concerns at the site and enable more work to be undertaken to ensure the quarry’s long-term future as a much-loved cultural gem for the town.”
There will be some noise and large vehicles at the quarry during the demolition, but contractors have measures in place to keep disturbance to a minimum. Dust will also be controlled with regular damping down.
Once all the works are completed to the structures in the quarry, the longer-term plan is to transfer the site to Weston-super-Mare Town Council, which has agreed a vision and investment package for the location. The transfer would ensure the site remains in public ownership and gives greater control to local communities to shape its future.