Moves to save Hippodrome site win all-round backing
Derby City Council revealed that it was giving the owner of the grade II-listed building the chance to come up with a viable use for it, which would retain as much of the remaining structure as possible.
But the authority has also issued an enforcement notice which, it said, it would use to force owner Christopher Anthony to repair the building if he could not come up with acceptable plans in a set time.
No deadline has been set yet but the council said the timeframe would be "tight".
Mr Anthony's representatives confirmed that he was now looking to appoint a local architect to help shape plans for the use of the building.
And that move has been welcomed both by those who want the building saved and those who want what they term an "eyesore" demolished.
Keith Briars, of Derby New Theatre Association, wants to see the building become a theatre once again.
He said: "We will be pushing the council to make sure it is reopened as a theatre. It would fit well into the area and could be a place for popular, imported productions because it has the space to do that.
"I think personally that if that can be achieved and as much of the building as possible saved, it would be acceptable."
Even those who wanted the building pulled down said the compromise with Mr Anthony could benefit people living nearby. John Saunders owns a property in Macklin Street next to part of the collapsed building. He says it is attracting vermin and dragging down the area and has started a petition, so far signed by about 300 people, calling for it to be pulled down.
He said: "I think as long as they clear up the mess around it and make it as safe as possible, then this is a move in the right direction. The council had to come up with a 50/50 solution and I think they are doing the right thing.
"I don't know what could be an appropriate use for the building but as long as the site is tidied and it is safe, it will be positive for the area."
A spokesman for Mr Anthony said he could not comment on what would be an appropriate use until he had worked with an architect and looked through the council's own planning guidelines.
If Mr Anthony fails to come up with a suitable use and a planning application within the timeframe the council specifies, it will bring the enforcement notice into action, forcing him to carry out repairs.
However, Mr Anthony could appeal against that notice, which would mean nothing would be done to the building for at least a year while a decision on the appeal was made.
mess: People living nearby say the building has become a magnet for vermin.
