This recent story in the DET says all that needs to be said about the sorry saga of the Hippodrome. On the left you’ll see a picture of me being briefed about its sad recent history by local conservative council candidate – Ashley Waterhouse.
In my view Mr Anthony should sell it to Derby City Council for £1 and accept that he’s made a horrible mistake and handled the whole thing very badly.
I wait with interest for the findings of the courts next year as they look at the “repair” work he carried out that seems to have cost him so much money. On the right, you’ll see me having a look at the full extent of Mr Anthony’s “repairs”.
It is shocking that he has not been made to do something already. I am ashamed and appauled at both the council and the legal system that someone who has blatently borken the law in front of the whole population of Derby has not been made to pay for his slefish, rash actions.
I am sickened to even look at that beautiul building. The events at the Hippodrome will be an example to any property developer in the future… you can get away with whatever you like.
Agreed – there’s a great organisation called the Derby Hippodrome Restoration Fund. Their website is http://www.derbyhippodrome.co.uk/
Why not get in touch with them and see if you can help?
Jack
I contacted the City Council and the local press when a large digger marked with the words “A.B. DEMOLITION” arrived on the site on the Tuesday before the “repair” work commenced. I also noticed that no repair materials had been brought to the site. I advised the men who were delivering the machinery that this is a listed building and any damage caused could land them in court. One of the men assured me that the digger was to be used to prop up the walls when rotten roof struts were removed by a large demolition pincer machine.
Council officials assured me that the building is listed so cannot be demolished.
The pincer machine was used with consideralble force to open up the roof. Several strong blows directly to the walls soon saw them collapsing. The work continued until the building was severely damaged.
There are several Youtube videos of this “repair” work – see the website link for recorded evidence of the methods used to carry out this “repair” work.
The owner has “put the building up for sale” the asking price is £1.2 million. If he can’t sell it, he will continue claiming that no one is prepared to buy it.
You Tube video of works carried out on the Hippodrome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qBpwoZpSno&feature=related
Here is a link to the application and all detils of objections and consultations on the Derby City Council planning pages.
http://eplanning.derby.gov.uk/acolnet/planningpages02/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=87686
Makes interesting reading!
The council needs to put a forced purchase order on this building – it should be taken from him and seen to THIS MONDAY MORNING – the hesitation by the council has contributed to the Hippodromes demise – that sickens me, in a city that should celebrate it’s traditions, that those in charge turn a blind eye!!! They never seem to care, at all
I agree with this in principle Vicki. My only worry is the financials – we need to be careful not to saddle council tax payers with an expensive project that we can’t afford. Times are tough enough as it is!
I feel that he should be ‘paid’ an absolute minimum, say 1p? He purchased the building for just £400,000 – the damage he has done renders the building worthless in it’s current state, so compulsory purchase should cost the Derbyshire taxpayers no more than that – it is part of the heritage of the city, a city which has already lost many landmarks and beautiful architecture in the name of progress
Restoration of the building could be paid for by fining Mr Anthony – this is a man with considerable assets
I am willing to contribute to a fund to restore something that will be handed down to others to enjoy
Derby is losing music and theatre venues – this property could make a considerable amount of money in the long term if restored to it’s original condition