Design of Dudley Bug centre is monstrous, claim campaigners

Dudley Zoo has unveiled designs for a new education and conference centre aiming to pay homage to the town's prehistoric past.

It has been designed to recreate the famous Dudley Bug fossil shape. But campaigners have hit out at the plans, saying the futuristic Trilobite Building would look out of place shadowed by the 11th century Dudley Castle.

They threw back claims from officials that the Hippodrome was an 'eyesore' and a 'blight' on Castle Hill by rounding on the architecture of the planned multi-million pound centre.

Campaign chairman Geoff Fitzpatrick today said he feared the building would become a 'white elephant' for the town. "I think it looks monstrous and I can't quite believe they think this would be in keeping with the medieval castle," he said.

"The Hippodrome is a great example of an art deco styled building that fits in place with the buildings like the Station Hotel nearby.

"We knew these ideas would be coming. We always thought they'd want to knock the Hippodrome down so that they could expand the zoo. It won't stop us. If anything, we want to show that we won't go away and that we will keep fighting.

"They've not given permission to demolish it yet." Mr Fitzpatrick added that £3 million would be around the figure needed for work to get underway on the renovation of the theatre.

But leading councillors have welcomed the scheme after receiving a presentation of the concept at the zoo yesterday.

Dudley Council leader David Sparks said: "The design is as impressive as the Selfridges building at the Birmingham Bullring and it would be a superbly fitting location for the geological exhibits."

The borough's regeneration chief, Councillor Judy Foster, added: "Dudley has a unique geological history and this should be recognised. These are excellent plans."

Campaigners will be attending the Dudley Council planning meeting on August 5 at Dudley Council House to speak against two applications to demolish the theatre.

Dudley Zoo officials say the building will highlight Castle Hill's unique history as part of a prehistoric seabed, educating visitors on creatures like the trilobite. But the sweeping curved centre will also incorporate a centre for zoology, geology and education and link to the limestone Stores Cavern beneath the zoo site.