PERMISSION is being sought to force the owner of Derby's

former Hippodrome theatre to repair the building.

The city council is considering putting forward plans for an

enforcement notice which would be considered by the authority's

planning committee next month.

If granted, owner Christopher Anthony would have to repair

the building, probably to the standard it was when he bought

it.

Councillor Lucy Care, cabinet member for planning and

transportation, said: "We are considering enforcement action

against Mr Anthony but this will need to be approved by the

planning committee when it next meets in September.

"embedded=true&config=http%3a%2f%2fmedia.ThisIsDerbyshire.co.uk%2fTSPlayer%2fJSON.aspx%3fid%3d5035%26embedded%3dtrue"

menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"

quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" style="" src=

"http://media.ThisIsDerbyshire.co.uk/tsplayer/videoplayer.swf"

type="application/x-shockwave-flash">

"If the decision is taken to serve the enforcement notice,

it will still mean a few more months will pass before action

will be taken against the owner."

If Mr Anthony did not comply with the notice in a reasonable

time – although it is not clear how long this could be – he

could face an unlimited fine if convicted in a Crown Court.

But if the committee grants the enforcement notice, Mr

Anthony could appeal, which would lead to a public inquiry,

delaying any work on the site.

In the meantime, the council will weather-proof the former

theatre in Green Lane.

Mrs Care said: "Legal processes are never fast and don't

happen overnight. Therefore, the council has decided to act

without delay to weather-proof the Hippodrome.

"We will make the owner of the Hippodrome acknowledge his

responsibilities."

The weather-proofing work will start tomorrow. It will

include supporting beams inside the Grade II-listed

building.

The majority of the work will be carried out on Sunday when

a mobile platform will be in place in Green Lane and Macklin

Street.

This will be used to get to the roof, so that missing slates

can be replaced and door and window openings secured.

Blocked gutters will also be cleared. Temporary traffic

controls will be set up in Green Lane.

The council will carry out the work under an Urgent Works

Notice, which will mean it will get the cost of it back from Mr

Anthony.

Mrs Care said: "At present, the priority is to make sure the

building is less vulnerable through the winter months.

"This is not the commencement of major works. It is works

that we feel are urgently needed to help sustain the building

through the winter."

Legally, the council cannot carry out work not deemed urgent

and which it has not given Mr Anthony a reasonable time to do

himself.

The Evening Telegraph called Mr Anthony's representatives

but they did not respond.