Driverless vehicle project extension plans anger Dudley Hippodrome campaigners
Campaigners who want Dudley Hippodrome to be re-opened as a theatre have hit out at plans to give a driverless vehicle company another nine months to finalise its plans for the historic building.
A long-awaited decision on the future of the landmark was expected to be made during January.
But Dudley Driverless Vehicles Consortium (DDVC) now wants until September to put together its £9 million proposal.
Councillors are expected to allow this at a meeting on January 6.
It means the Hippodrome will spend at least the best part of another year sitting derelict on Castle Hill.
But council bosses hope it will allow DDVC, which has already has 12 months to work on the project, time to get its proposal right so the site can be transformed and discussions about the Hippodrome's future put to bed.
Members of the Dudley Hippodrome Supporters Group still harbour hopes of taking over the building.
A community-led group was previously given a lease by Dudley Council, only to have it taken off them when the authority decided they were unlikely to be able come up with the necessary funds to make the re-opening a reality.
Campaigner Paul Winchurch said he was frustrated the company had been given more time, but added the extension could prove useful for those wanting to save the venue.
He said: "I'm very angry. We were told that come January they would make a decision and if it hadn't proved viable it would be back to square one with the Hippodrome.
"They have not listened to us. We haven't had any advice or help off them. It is bloody-mindedness to get rid of that building."
He added: "We would love to buy the building and have it as a community asset but unless a benefactor comes in... We will carry on fighting."
Dudley Council officials have said as there had been "no other credible proposals" for the Hippodrome site, it was prepared to give DDVC more time to work on its project.
The Dudley Driverless Vehicles Consortium includes Dudley College, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Canal and Tunnels Trust, Dudley Zoo and Castle, captial projects software management company Aurigo, the University of Warwick and Westfield Technology Group.
