Council defends Hippodrome demolition decision

The Hippodrome in Derby was set on fire deliberately, an investigation has concluded

Derby City Council has defended its decision to use emergency powers to begin demolition work at a historical former theatre over "public safety" fears.

Contractors started pulling down parts of the Hippodrome site in Green Lane on Sunday following a fire on Friday.

It was the latest in a series of recent fires at the site and on Monday, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was started deliberately.

The decision to start demolition work at the Grade II listed site has drawn criticism but the city council said it had a "responsibility to keep people safe".

The fire was the latest of many at the derelict site over the years

The old theatre building had been used as a bingo hall before it shut in 2007.

In February, the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust said it hoped to compulsory purchase the site with ambitions to bring it back into use as a music venue.

But now the council has now said it does not know if any of the building can be saved.

The Theatres Trust (TTT), the national advisory body for theatres, said it had recently awarded a grant to the historic buildings trust to progress this work, and was "devastated" by the demolition work.

Its chief executive officer Joshua McTaggart said: "Derby Hippodrome had an irreplaceable social and cultural heritage, much of which is now likely to be sadly lost for the future generations of Derby residents.

"But this is about more than just heritage.

"Until this recent series of fires, there was still a realistic opportunity to save parts of the building and bring it back into use as an independent music venue."

Mr Taggart added the trust was in touch with the council and Historic England to ascertain what remained of the building and next steps.

'Death risk'

Ashley Waterhouse, chair of the Derby Civic Society called the demolition "a great shame".

But the council's cabinet member for street pride and public safety Ndukwe Onuoha has defended the decision.

He told the BBC: "I understand there will be people who are upset because it's a Grade II listed building but ultimately, when you compare that with a possible loss of life if that building comes to collapse whilst people are walking near it or around – then we would be having a different conversation wouldn't we?

"At the end of the day we do have a responsibility to keep residents safe."

The building has been used as a theatre, cinema and bingo hall

The roof of the building next to Macklin Street was removed on Sunday and a wall was demolished on Crompton Street, the council said.

On Monday, the authority said the work involved "levelling the basement" so machines could be brought further into the site.

A spokesperson said: "The fire at the Hippodrome on Friday caused severe damage and the structure and integrity of the building is at risk.

"There is now imminent danger to the safety of the public, so emergency planning powers have been used to begin demolition work.

"Derbyshire Building Control Partnership visited the site on Friday and Saturday and have handed it to Cheshire Demolition Controllers to make it safe.

"This work will continue until the building no longer poses a threat to public safety. Currently, we don't know how much, if any, of the building can be saved."

Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the site while the work is ongoing.

The car park on Crompton Street has now partially reopened and Macklin Street remains closed.

Road closures on Green Lane remain in place except for access, the council added.