DERBY City Council says it would pay half towards an independent study into the Hippodrome, with the English Heritage funding the remainder.
Standing empty for approximately four years, there is little wonder Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa said the authority wanted to know once and for all whether the Hippodrome had a viable future. I would assume that all parties involved are only too eager to get started.
At this point, I have to say that earlier plans to turn it into a car park and flats were refused. But since then times and priorities have changed – circumstances alter cases.
Converting the Hippodrome into affordable flats would help get the waiting list down and would give the young lower-paid workers a chance to get established and start a family. The rents from these flats would also stand the council in good stead for many years.
Building these flats would, to some degree, help to preserve our previous greenfield areas. Oh, I almost forgot – people living in these flats would not have to use public transport – as they are only a stone's throw away from the city centre.
BG Bower
Thorndike Avenue
Alvaston