PLANS to build an outdoor stage as part of a £1.1million makeover of Dudley’s Coronation Gardens have been slammed amid fears people will climb on the war memorial to get a good view.

The gardens, opposite Dudley Council House in Priory Road, will be given a new lease of life after Dudley Council secured cash from the European Regional Development Fund.

But Sedgley councillor Bill Etheridge has grave reservations that the war memorial could be used as a vantage point for anyone viewing the new stage.

He said: “I’d find that most disrespectful to the fallen heroes of this country and it seems the ruling council have failed to remember where it is located.”

Cllr Etheridge, a West Midlands MEP, has also questioned why the council has not submitted a new application to secure funds for the benefit of Dudley Hippodrome: “I sit on the Regional Development Committee in Strasbourg and, if such an application were to be submitted, I would make it my business to personally champion such a move.

“Why spend £1.1m on an outdoor stage that will get used several times a year at best, when a far smaller sum would rid the Hippodrome of the asbestos that is currently holding up the plans for any development.

“Having the Hippodrome re-open would benefit the local economy, bringing visitors from other areas, and would be usable 365 days a year, rather than relying on the notoriously fickle British weather.”

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said the cash was not just being spent on an amphitheatre, but would also fund new paving, seating, lighting, trees and putting water back in the Apollo Fountain for the first time in decades.

Allaying Cllr Etheridge's fears, he said the war memorial was on the opposite side of the gardens so "in no way comes into conflict with these proposals".

Cllr Ahmed explained that the funding bid would not have been successful if it focussed on removing asbestos from the former Hippodrome building, adding: "The funding for this has very specific uses for public realm enhancements, and our bid very much hinged on it being an extension of the town centre regeneration, which is already taking shape."

He continued: “This is a scheme that everyone should be supporting as an opportunity to bring people from outside Dudley into the town for the good of the economy and tourism.

"It is a valuable community facility in the heart of Dudley town centre, and in a popular gardens area.

"I’m sure community groups and students at the neighbouring college will make use of this open air space."