Earl and Duchess in late bid to save Dudley Hippodrome from demolition
Two aristocrats have lodged objections to plans to demolish an historic Black Country theatre – hours before planners are due to make their decision.
The Duchess of Beaufort and the Earl of Dudley – whose ancestor donated the land on which the Hippodrome was built – have both lodged strong objections to the planned demolition of the former Dudley Hippodrome theatre to make way for a university building.
The proposals will go before Dudley Council’s development control committee tonight, with planning officer Richard Stevenson recommending the plans should be given the go-ahead. However, any approval will be subject to ratification from cabinet minister Michael Gove, who will have the power to ‘call in’ the scheme for review.
The plans also include the demolition of the neighbouring former skating rink, which has more recently been used as a martial arts centre, Castle Hill banqueting suite and the former JB’s nightclub.
The council has secured £25 million government funding to build the new education centre.
David Ward, the 5th Earl of Dudley, and his cousin, Tracy Worcester, Duchess of Beaufort, have both written to Mr Stevenson voicing strong opposition to the proposals. The Earl’s half-brother, the film-maker Leander Ward, has also lodged an objection.
The Earl, writing from Spain, said the proposed University of Worcester building was of ‘no architectural merit’ and accused Dudley Council of failing to follow accepted protocol.
The Duchess, who is the grand-daughter of the 3rd Earl of Dudley, said it would be folly to demolish the two buildings while the town was bidding for city status.
She said there were other sites in the town where the college could be built.
The Duchess, who lives in Badminton, Gloucestershire, said both the Hippodrome and the former skating rink had fascinating and important histories.
