Face-off over theatre repair bill

Any appeal is expected to take at least a year

Repairs to Derby's Hippodrome theatre must be paid for by the owner, the city council has decided.

The building suffered serious damage in March while London-based businessman Christopher Anthony was carrying out repairs after a fire.

The authority's planning control committee has now voted to serve an enforcement notice on Mr Anthony to make good the damage at his expense.

He has already indicated that he will appeal against notice.

The appeal process could last up to a year.

Making the Grade II listed building weatherproof is expected to cost about £700,000 and a full restoration would run into millions of pounds.

Robin Wood, chair of the planning committee, said: "We were not deciding who was right and who was wrong, we were trying to protect a listed building.

"We have authorised our officers to take whatever action is necessary to protect the theatre, which we strongly believe has a future.".