'The sooner it's gone the better!' - Controversial plan to demolish beloved Cannock Chase theatre survives latest meeting
Representatives from local and national theatre trusts watched on as councillors rejected two call-ins to review the proposed demolition of a beloved Staffordshire theatre.
Around 40 protesters and theatre supporters observed the two-hour meeting from the public gallery, during which Council Leader Cllr Steve Thornley admitted the proposal to demolish the Prince of Wales Theatre had been reached without the cabinet knowing the full cost of the job.
On Thursday, January 15, Cannock Chase District Council gathered to discuss the future of the theatre at the Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee, one week after the original meeting was cancelled due to the impacts of Storm Goretti.
Opposition to the inclusion of the theatre within the town's regeneration programme's 'red line' for demolition was led by Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Olivia Lyons (Conservative), and Deputy Leader of the Green Group, Darrel Mawle, who each submitted call-ins relating to the cabinet's decision.
In her opening speech, Cllr Lyons described the cabinet's decision as 'premature,' and said the process leading up to it was 'concerningly non-transparent.'
She was seconded by fellow-Conservative councillor Philippa Haden, who added: "We all deserve clarity on what cabinet can see that we can't."
