A DRIVERLESS vehicle firm that was on the cusp of taking over the Dudley Hippodrome site looks set to be given a nine month extension to firm up its plans.

The Dudley Driverless Vehicle Consortium (DDVC) was given 12 months by council chiefs back in December 2018 to develop its proposal to create a test track on the Castle Hill site.

The decision was heartbreaking for campaigners from The Friends of Dudley Hippodrome who want to see the art-deco theatre brought back to life as a multi-purpose entertainment venue and community space.

Now, in a council report to be put before Dudley Council's Cabinet on January 6, it has been recommended that the firm be given an extension until September 2020 to finalise its plans.

The report states that Cabinet should "extend the existing agreement with Dudley Driverless Vehicles Consortium to develop a proposal for a driverless vehicle route and hub on the site of Dudley Hippodrome and adjacent land until September 2020."

The report makes the recommendation on the basis that an extension would "facilitate a comprehensive and coordinated submission" for Dudley's bid for a share of the government's £3.6billion Towns Fund in an effort to rejuvenate the town centre.

Dudley was one of 100 town centres across the country to bid for the funding in September 2019 and now leaders have until Summer 2020 to create a Town Investment Plan to be in with the chance of getting the cash.

The driverless vehicle plans are "highly complementary" and will strengthen the Town Fund bid, according to the report.

The report continues: "Since December 2018, no other credible proposals have been submitted to the Council relating to the refurbishment of the former Dudley Hippodrome building. It is considered therefore, that extending the timeline relating to the DDVC proposal will facilitate a much more comprehensive and competitive proposal for Towns Fund resources while identifying a long term and positive use for the site in question.

"Accordingly, it is recommended that the DDVC proposal be provided with additional time, until September 2020, in order to develop proposals for the site in question, to bring it in line with submission of the Towns Fund Investment Plan."

Campaigners from The Friends of Dudley Hippodrome said they are not giving up hope the theatre can be saved.

Group member Paul Winchurch said the the extension was frustrating given the council initially set a time frame for12 months, or the plan would go back to square one.

He said: "We've got nine months now to do as much as we can, but it will always come back to funding."

The Friends of Dudley Hippodrome will next meet on Thursday, January 2 at the Serviceman's Club on Hall Street at 7.30pm.

The report will be put to the Cabinet on Monday, January 6.