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Hippodrome set for demolition to make way for driverless vehicle centre

Source: http://www.thebusinessdesk.com

An historic theatre could be demolished after councillors backed plans to turn it into a driverless vehicle centre.Dudley Council announced its support for a £9m autonomous vehicle demonstration route over reviving the building as an entertainment venue.The theatre, used by acts such as Laurel and Hardy in the past, closed in 2009.Arts campaigners said they are disappointed by the decision but will not give up on the theatre yet, BBC News reported.Dudley Council took control of the dilapidated building after the Black Country Hippodrome Ltd (BCHL) “failed to achieve key milestones”.The 1930s building had been used as a theatre until 1964 playing host to major acts, including Gracie Fields and George Formby.It was then used as a bingo hall.The Dudley Driverless Vehicles Consortium is seeking to create an autonomous vehicle demonstration route with the site providing the control centre and training in related technologies.The company now has 12 months to submit full plans to the council which will then be considered by the planning committee.