BOSSES at one of West Somerset's premier tourist attractions finally look set to be compensated for the disruption caused by the construction of a new roundabout at Washford Cross.

Civic leaders agreed in principle on Wednesday to double a grant offer to Tropiquaria Zoo, whose owners stood to lose tens of thousands of pounds by having to pay to relocate a trio of primate enclosures and move a children's play fort as a direct result of EDF Energy's plans for the road improvement.

The zoo originally applied for a total of £191,516 from the Hinkley Point C Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) Fund to relocate some endangered primates and play equipment and install double-glazing in the main building.

The board responsible for allocating CIM funding ruled that the zoo should only receive £40,000 to move gibbon, lemur and tamarin cages away from the site of the roundabout.

But zoo director Chris Moiser argued that he had no choice but to move the play equipment as well, as it was currently located in the only place suitable for the new cages to be built - and that could cost as much as £37,350.

At Wednesday's full meeting of West Somerset Council, members were told that in light of that information, additional funding should be given to the zoo.

Andrew Goodchild, the council's new nuclear programme manager, said the zoo had also submitted a planning application for the new cages.

"The zoo has contacted the council regarding the link between the relocation of the animal enclosures and the relocation of the play equipment," he said.

"There is a logical and understandable relationship between these two elements of the CIM Fund application.

"There is no other location within the zoo complex that would allow the animal enclosures to be moved away from the works to construct the roundabout."

Mr Goodchild said a redundant aviary would also have to be moved, together with a play fort.

"The play area is an integral part of the zoo's offer and would need to be relocated if the animal enclosures are to be sited on the perimeter of the site," he said.

Councillors unanimously voted to give the zoo up to £37,350 to move the play equipment, as well as £40,000 to build new primate enclosures.

The approval is subject to any further comments being received from the Hinkley Point C Planning Obligations Board which oversees CIM applications.

The board is due to meet in December and the zoo will also have to get quotes for the relocation of the play fort, secure planning permission for the work and continue its current bid to become a charity.

Cllr Kate Kravis, the chairman of the board and the district council's lead member for finance, said Tropiquaria's situation was unique.

"If we could wind the clock back this could have been included in the costs for the roundabout, but it wasn't," she said.

"They are located right next to where the work will be carried out on the roundabout.

"This work is starting soon and there really is no other money that will help this business to mitigate the impact of the roundabout." Other councillors were critical of both EDF and Somerset County Council as the local highways authority.

Hinkley lead member Cllr Chris Morgan said: "We are in a position where we have no choice but I feel very strongly that this situation should never have arisen.

"Communication should be sent to EDF and Somerset County Council's highways that this should have been funded under planning.

"It is disgraceful that the amount has to come out of this fund."

Tropiquaria director Chris Moiser said he was thrilled the council had looked at the application again and was hoping the board would support their decision.

"We're very happy and can now progress with the planning and other things at full speed," he said.

"We have submitted a planning application to the district council and all the documents are available on the council's website for people to see what we are planning to do."

As well as the Tropiquaria application, the council agreed to ask the board to reconsider an application from the Porlock Bay Shellfish Project for £800 to set up a website for publicity and business purposes.

The board had felt there was not a clear link between the scheme and the Hinkley works - but did acknowledge the project would be "transformational for the area from an economic development perspective".