A CHARITY campaigning to preserve the borough’s glass collection says its plans for a new museum are still on track despite a severe blaze at the planned site.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire at the old Stuart Crystal glassworks in Camp Hill, there were fears the listed buildings earmarked for a new museum might have to be pulled down due to the severity of the damage.

But members of the British Glass Foundation - set up to help preserve the prized glass collection housed at Broadfield House Glass Museum and Himley Hall - say there is no real risk to their plan to turn the derelict site into a state-of-the-art new tourist attraction.

Chairman Graham Knowles said the group has been monitoring the situation carefully and he has been in close communication with Dudley Council.

He added: “This will have no material effect on costs, the grant application or the timing for our plans for the creation of a world class facility to secure the future of Dudley’s glass collections.”

The Foundation, which has won the backing of many national organisations since it launched in November 2010, says it remains committed to working with Dudley Council and the site owners, Complex Developments, to bring the project to fruition.

Ian Harrabin, managing director of Complex Developments, said an independent structural survey was being carried out at the site to determine whether the historic buildings can be saved in the wake of the May 12 fire, which is believed to have been started by arsonists.

In the meantime he is calling on police and the community to help stop attacks of vandalism at the site, opposite the Red House Glass Cone.

He said: “The listed buildings are an invaluable part of the history of the area and their destruction is a loss to the whole community.

“There is only so much that we can do to keep people out and I urge residents to come forward with information that will stop further attacks.”

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call police at Brierley Hill Police Station on 0345 113 5000.