Anger at £4,000 cost of Dudley artist's impression
Dudley Council has come under fire for spending £4,000 on impressions of how Castle Hill will look if the landmark Hippodrome is bulldozed.
UKIP Councillor Dean Perks said he was astonished the authority had splashed the cash on the images, given it has not carried out any costings for the plan.
It has emerged sketches of the expanse of open space which would replace the Hippodrome cost the cash-strapped authority £4,000 – to the disbelief of Councillor Perks.
However, cabinet member Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said it was vital to have quality designs before any decisions should be made.
An eleventh-hour rescue bid to save the landmark venue has been launched but demolition still appears the most likely option.
Councillor Perks said: "I am astonished given Dudley Council's financial situation to find out the artist's impression of Castle Hill without the Hippodrome cost the authority £4,000.
"Another example of mismanagement? It appears so considering no costings for the demolition and open space have been done.
"Would it have not been prudent and beneficial to the students to ask Dudley College if they could have done it?
"I'm sure there are talented students more than capable of this that would have benefited from a real work-like project."
Dudley Council wants to demolish the Hippodrome and replace it with a public space, with the proposals backed at meetings last month. Council officials confirmed £4,000 had been spent on the artist's impressions.
Councillor Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "This is a key gateway point into the town and is a crucial element of both local civic pride and our continued drive to attract investment into the town.
"In order for cabinet to be able to properly visualise the replacement scheme in their decision making it was vital to have quality designs."
Opponents of the demolition include The Theatre Trust which sent a letter to the council, pleading with bosses to save the Hippodrome due to its cultural significance.
Campaigners working to save the theatre have formed a new group aiming to gain more expert advice to bolster their plans.
A new business proposal to take over the theatre was submitted ahead of the new year's eve deadline set to decide its future. This will be considered in due course.
