The Stage

Derby City Council criticised for failing to protect Hippodrome

Published Tuesday 6 October 2009 at 15:00 by Lalayn Baluch

Derby City Council has come under fire from local theatre campaigners for failing to protect the city’s beleaguered Hippodrome building.

Lobbying group the Derby Hippodrome Restoration Fund has described the local authority as “lacking in backbone”, after it failed to ensure that security fencing was erected around the building by site owner Christopher Anthony.

The council’s chief legal officer Stuart Leslie wrote to Anthony in July, warning that if a “secure cordon” was not erected within the following month, the authority would seek an order from the Magistrates Court requiring him to carry out the works.

The council said if Anthony failed to do so, it would “carry out the works in default and recover the costs” from him.

However, almost three months later, neither party has erected the fence. Campaigners fear without such protection, the building is vulnerable to vandalism and arson attacks.

Joan Travis, chairman of the restoration fund group - which wants to see the former variety theatre brought back to life under a £14 million development scheme - said: “[The council] obviously hasn’t followed up its threats. The fence we have now is flimsy wire fencing, and it has not been changed.

“This means that the building is vulnerable to people breaking in, and is not being properly protected. But it [the council] seems to be afraid of this person and won’t follow stuff through.”

In March 2008, the venue was partially destroyed after Anthony undertook repair works which led to an external wall and the roof being demolished.

Since then, he has submitted a planning application to the council, proposing that the 1914 venue be flattened to make way for a multistorey car park. The planning application is to be considered by the council in November.

The local authority is also taking legal action against Anthony for the partial destruction of the building. The hearing is set for February 27, 2010.

A spokesman from the council said Anthony had written to the authority seeking clarification on a number of issues about the cordon, proposing alternatives to the recommendations, and querying whether the boarding would encroach on neighbouring land.

The spokesman added: “The issues ranged from public liability and consultation to a request for a detailed specification of the proposed boarding. Most of these points are pertinent and will have to be considered in full before referring the matter to the magistrates.”