Shrouded in mystery... ownership of Hippodrome

...AND IF THE CITY COUNCIL KNOWS, IT IS NOT TELLING

- By ZENA HAWLEY

PEOPLE involved in rescuing the former Hippodrome Theatre building in Derby and turning it into an alternative music venue are keeping their fingers crossed that Derby City Council, supported by Historic England will soon be able to serve an urgent works notice on the company that owns the property.

That is if it can be worked out who actually owns the building, which seems shrouded in mystery and forms quite a paper trail.

A recent second arson attack on the Grade II-listed building in Green Lane, which has been derelict for some years, has led to calls for more action to save the property.

Through neglect, some listed buildings, such as the former theatre, are in danger of falling into disrepair. In these instances, local authorities can take action to secure the repair of a listed building if there is a concern about its continued conservation.

To do this, an urgent works notice is issued. This is a direct way of securing any repairs that are urgently needed for the preservation of the building.

An urgent works notice should generally be restricted to urgent repairs to keep a building wind and weather-proof and safe from collapse, or action to prevent vandalism or theft.

Once an urgent works notice is issued, the owner of the building can decide whether to undertake the necessary works.

If the owner declines or is unresponsive, then the law allows the local authority to execute any works which are urgently necessary for the preservation of the building. The cost of carrying out the works may be recovered by the local authority or Historic England (as appropriate) from the owner.