Conservation watchdog English Heritage has withdrawn its support for the demolition of the derelict Tropicana open-air pool in Weston-super-Mare.
The move comes after plans by campaign group Trop (WSM) Ltd to turn the landmark into an all year attraction were approved by councillors.
English Heritage, which had previously backed North Somerset Council's move to demolish the Tropicana, has now had a change of heart and supported the plans to regenerate the seafront site.
It says it now sees the demolition of the building as harmful to the surrounding conservation area and that the application to develop the site has merit.
In a letter in response to the planning application, English Heritage said: "We consider that there is sufficient merit in the current outline proposal to outweigh our previous view on demolition.
"The positive regeneration of this lido to create a new swimming pool facility is a public benefit."
The move comes at the same time as Secretary of State for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, is reviewing his decision to grant the authority conservation area consent after Trop (WSM) Ltd appealed against it, claiming it was flawed.
