Latest news with #SouthStaffordshireCouncil
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Fury as remains of Britain's wonkiest pub 'left to rot' for two years after it was destroyed in fire
Fury has erupted after the remains of Britain's wonkiest pub were 'left to rot' for two years after it was destroyed in a fire. The Crooked House, in the village of Himley, Staffordshire, was gutted after a suspected arson attack in August 2023 - two years ago this week. The rest of the 18th-century building was demolished without permission less than 48 hours later by owners ATE Farms, who had bought it just nine days before the blaze. The historic boozer had become well-known across the country for its quirky tilted appearance, caused by the land sinking on one side due to local mining activity. South Staffordshire district council last year ordered the firm to rebuild the 260-year-old protected tavern within three years. But in February, ATE launched an appeal against the enforcement notice, with a hearing in March postponed until the criminal investigation into the fire has finished. While the furore drags on, the site of the Black Country alehouse, near Dudley, has become a 'decaying dumping ground'. Campaigners say it has gone to 'absolute ruin', becoming a hotspot for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. Shocking photos show huge piles of fridges, mattresses, bin liners, children's toys and tyres have been dumped along the lane leading to the West Midlands site. Destroyed fences lay abandoned after landslips caused them to come down - while drugs paraphernalia can also be seen littering the area. Residents have blasted the 'scandalous lack of action' 24 months on from the fire which destroyed 'a national treasure'. Pub regular Martin Eley, 49, of Himley, said: 'To see the site now is heartbreaking. It is just in a state of ruin and nobody has done anything about it. 'The place was once home to one of the UK's most unique pubs - now it is a decaying dumping ground. 'It is scandalous that is has been allowed to happen. Nothing has been done and something needs to change as it will only get worse. 'The longer this goes on like this, the less chance there is of it ever being rebuilt.' Paul Baker, 61, who had been going to the pub since he was 15, said: 'I've lived in the area all my life and I came here with my parents. Residents have blasted the 'scandalous lack of action' 24 months on from the fire which destroyed 'a national treasure'. Pictured: The site two years on from the blaze 'And then later in life, we'd have a great time. So many memories, it's been part of my life. I cannot believe it's gone, I'm devastated. 'It's a shame something so nice has just disappeared from the land. 'It's something that you thought you would never see. This should have been here forever, it was a national treasure. 'There will never be another one like it, even if they rebuild it, it wouldn't be the same but I hope they do.' A Facebook group called Save The Crooked House now has a whopping more than 37,500 members. Its plight and that of other heritage pubs illegally bulldozed have now been brought up in Parliament a number of times. Group member Paul Turner said he and fellow campaigners are also worried about the roads around the site, which have been damaged by landslips and a brook running under them. He said: 'The aim has always been and continues to be to get the Crooked House re-built brick by brick. 'But at the moment, two years on, we are worried about the safety of the area immediately in front of it... 'We want answers as to who will pick up the responsibility for the site before anything can be done about re-building the pub.' But the future of the site has been continually thrown into doubt since the devastating blaze two years ago. A company linked to the ex-owner of the site went bust in April with eye-watering debts of £1.2million. Himley Environmental Ltd (HEL), which owns a landfill site next to the pub, listed George Adam Taylor as director and shareholder. He controls ATE Farms, the firm which bought The Crooked House just before it burned down. At the time of the blaze, the landfill was said to be connected to a ongoing 'feud' with pub bosses over access to the site. It was put into voluntary liquidation after it was taken to court for failing to follow orders from the Environment Agency (EA). Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood has also raised concerns about the safety of the now messy site. Speaking in Parliament in July, he said: 'The lane is a public right of way but access is now difficult due to the massive amount of fly tipping. 'It is encouraging to see a secure gate has been put up to try and prevent further incidents. 'But I am very worried about the brook issue which is making the path dangerous, and also the offensive smell in the area. 'Two years on, we continue to fight for The Crooked House to be re-built and are trying to put pressure on the authorities over the legal process, which seems to be dragging along. 'But in the meantime it is important that the site remains fit for purpose when it potentially is re-built.' He said he would write to the Environment Agency and county council with hopes of urgently securing a site visit and meeting with them. ATE Farms' appeal against being order to rebuild the pub has been delayed until after the police investigation into the suspected arson has finished. ATE Farms' appeal against being order to rebuild the pub (pictured before the fire) has been delayed until after the police investigation into the suspected arson has finished It means campaigners wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in May, urging them to decide whether those under investigation for it will be charged. A CPS spokesman said they had not been given a file by police. But a Staffordshire Police spokesman said: 'The six people that were arrested have been released from bail and are now released under investigation. 'Our investigation is ongoing and a file has been submitted to the CPS.' South Staffordshire Council said in a statement it 'remained committed' to resolving the matter. Just before the devastating blaze, The Crooked House had been sold by brewer Marston's to ATE Farms, after being listed for sale for £675,000. ATE Farms was controlled at the time by glamorous former nail technician Carly Taylor but is now run by her husband Mr Taylor, after she resigned as director in December 2023. A relative told the Daily Mail Mrs Taylor used to run her own beauty business in the town of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, but had since become used to 'living the high life'. The family member added: 'She seems to go here there and everywhere, judging by Facebook.' Pictures on social media showed Mrs Taylor driving a Bentley, flying first class and posing outside the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Gary Timmins, pubs and clubs director for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said the developer's appeal threatened to make a 'complete mockery' of Britain's planning system. 'The appeal requested by the owners of the Crooked House, ATE Farms Limited, was expected but no less insulting,' he said in February. 'Accountability must be taken for the complete destruction of this iconic pub and this hearing undermines South Staffordshire Council's enforcement notice to rebuild it. 'The Crooked House in Himley was destroyed more than 18 months ago and this appeal delays a much-needed outcome. 'The UK's wonkiest pub needs to be rebuilt, back to what it was prior to the fire, as ordered by South Staffordshire Council. 'If this appeal leads to this decision being reversed, it would be a complete mockery of pub protection and campaigning efforts from the local community.' 'The Crooked House saga lifted the lid on the wider scandal of potentially unlawful pub conversions and demolitions across the UK and we continue to demand tighter, stronger planning policies and a requirement in law to rebuild pubs brick-by-brick.' The pub had been on the Historic Environment Record as a building of local importance. The council's notice to rebuild it requires the structure 'to be built back to what it was prior to the fire' and specifies the materials to be used to do this. West Midlands mayor Andy Street has previously praised the council's work on this on X. He wrote: 'An enforcement notice has been issued against the owners for its unlawful demolition. 'They have been ordered to rebuild the pub back to what it was before the fire - just as we've been lobbying for. Fantastic work from South Staffordshire Council.' The decision came weeks after Mrs Taylor resigned from her position as director of ATE Farms Limited on December 15, 2023. Documents submitted as part of the firm's appeal against the order to rebuild reveal its intention to rebuild the pub on another piece of land its owns. They also plan other developments to 'increase footfall'. It states: 'The appellant has not refused to rebuild the building and has actively engaged with the council regarding this. 'Requiring a re-build in the same location, whilst reflective of popular opinion, will not change the fact that the building in that location is not viable as a public house. 'For this reason, the appellant has put forward a sustainable, and what it sees as a genuine and practical solution to the issue, to the council that it rebuild the building on other land that it owns, to operate as a public house, with other development to increase footfall and give the pub and the building a real chance of success as a community asset. 'The proposal locates a newly-constructed Crooked House pub along with appropriate parking and landscaping further north off Crooked House Lane and as near to the highway junction with the Himley Road as would allow.' The document also revealed why the owners claim the former pub had to be fully demolished, after council officers agreed only to three elements of it being removed to make the gutted site safe. It said after council officers left the site, there were further issues: 'It had not been foreseen that removal of the three elements instructed would render the remainder of the building unsafe.' The document adds: 'Removal of the upper sections of the building took with it the steel tie ins which rendered the remaining structure, in the contractor's opinion, completely unsafe and at a high (and unacceptable risk) of collapse. The council's notice to rebuild it requires the structure 'to be built back to what it was prior to the fire' (pictured) and specifies the materials to be used to do this 'The council officers had left the land and a quick decision had to be made. 'The situation on the land was such that, due to the amount of media attention and public attendance, a decision had to be taken quickly as to the immediate safety of the building. 'A decision was made with reference to the director of the appellant that in order to abate the risk, the mainstay of the remaining structure needed to be taken down. 'It was considered that there was a high risk of the building collapsing and causing serious injury or a fatality on the land given the entry on to the land by large numbers of people some of whom were conducting vigils and others removing bricks and other items as memorabilia/ for sale.' There are also plans to build an education centre in the area, incorporating displays on local history, as well as retirement lodges in the existing woodland. It adds: 'In this regard, the appellant is in the process of preparing a detailed pre-application to be put to the council (and neighbouring authorities).'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Staffordshire family farm shop outlines padel tennis court plan
Plans for padel tennis courts near a proposed new farm shop have been Farm in Perton near Wolverhampton, a fourth-generation family farm, has submitted plans, with proposals including demolishing and redeveloping the existing "dilapidated" farm four courts will be open to the public and the Lawn Tennis Association, in a letter accompanying the application, stated there was unmet demand for the increasing financial strain on the industry, farmers need to diversify in order to survive, the applicants said. South Staffordshire Council planning officers are considering plans. The site would have more than 50 parking spaces and it is planned the redeveloped area, near Wrottesley Park Road, will include a proposed development also includes demolishing and removing the "existing dated and dilapidated farm shop structure and associated operational space", documents submitted to the council stated. They added the redevelopment would replace a "functionally outdated structure with a well-designed, energy-efficient building that aligns with the rural character of the area". The development would generate local employment opportunities, the documents also stated introducing padel courts was consistent with planning policy objectives relating to outdoor recreation, public health and community comments on the application can be made until 25 courts will be open to the public, including local schools and sports clubs. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Concerns Staffordshire parish being 'plundered' for battery sites
An area of South Staffordshire earmarked for eight separate battery energy storage site applications is being "plundered", said a parish council leader. Three battery energy storage systems (BESS) applications have already been approved for Lower Penn, with a further three awaiting decision, said Lower Penn Parish Council. South Staffordshire Council also considered two separate BESS proposals for sites in Flash Lane, Orton, near Wombourne and The Roughs, at Dimmingsdale, in Lower Penn on Tuesday. Steve McEwen, chair of Lower Penn Parish Council, described the 100MW BESS site proposed for Dimmingsdale as a "monster". He said to planning officers: "We urge you to defer this decision to allow much more careful review and assessment – we need more time"It will impose huge detrimental changes to the community of Lower Penn. "This technology is still at an early stage of development – consequently, risks and safety are in question."Congestion is very serious in Lower Penn, just having 500 metres between these installations is so tight. We're being plundered in Lower Penn."The Orton application was approved by just one vote - but the planning committee agreed to defer their decision on the Dimmingsdale proposal after a site visit. This news has been gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Developer submits plans for revived Perton cemetery
A new nine hectare burial ground as part of a revived cemetery scheme has been for a cemetery on the site in Perton, Staffordshire, was granted in 2001, followed by approval for access via Jenny Walkers Lane in 2003, but apart from some landscaping, there is no clear evidence the development started. The latest proposals for the site, which is near Wolverhampton, are now set to be considered by planning officers at South Staffordshire Council, with a decision expected later this proposal represented "an acceptable and appropriate form of development within the green belt", a planning and design statement said. The new application is substantially the same as previous granted applications, including a 30-space car park in a similar place.A memorial garden is also planned at the centre of the development would "provide a significant benefit to wildlife", an initial biodiversity study site is within the green belt, which means any development is inappropriate and should only be granted in very special circumstances. In this case, the applicant noted national planning policy included cemeteries and burial grounds as an exception, provided the openness of the green belt was preserved. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Crooked House pub rebuild hearing delayed after owners appeal to High Court
A planning inquiry set up after the owners of the historic Crooked House were ordered to rebuild the pub has been delayed after an appeal to the High Court. The enforcement notice requiring the pub to be rebuilt 'so as to recreate it as similar as possible to the demolished building' was served on pub owners, Adam and Carly Taylor, and the company secretary of Warwickshire-based ATE Farms Ltd by South Staffordshire Council in February 2024. A hearing before a planning inspector had been expected to start considering an appeal against the re-build notice in March 2025. But the owners have launched a High Court challenge against the inquiry, and the hearing will now be postponed. READ MORE: Air fryer warning as owners told to avoid using popular ingredient to prevent 'damage' READ MORE: Warning to homeowners with robins and blackbirds in their garden The council claims that the demolition of the pub in Himley, near Dudley, two days after it was destroyed by fire on August 5 2023, constituted a breach of planning controls. It has said it is 'extremely disappointed' to see the delay of the inquiry, with it 'likely resuming when the criminal investigation into the fire has concluded'. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the council said: 'A High Court challenge was lodged by the owners of the Crooked House to challenge the Planning Inspectorate's refusal to postpone the Planning Enforcement Public Inquiry. 'South Staffordshire Council is extremely disappointed to announce that following the High Court challenge that took place on the 5th February 2025, the Planning Inspectorate has today, 11th February 2025, confirmed that the Planning Enforcement Public Inquiry will be held in abeyance. 'This means that the Crooked House Public Inquiry for the appeal, scheduled for 11th March 2025, will now not go ahead as planned and will likely resume when the criminal investigation into the fire at the Crooked House has been concluded. 'South Staffordshire Council has worked very hard to prepare for the Public Inquiry and to defend the Enforcement Notice issued in February 2024, but has now exhausted all avenues to see this Public Inquiry go ahead as planned in March 2025.' Staffordshire Police said in July last year that there were six people arrested in connection with the fire, who were then released from their bail. They remain under investigation. Those arrested have not been identified but were said at the time of their arrests to be a 66-year-old man from Dudley, a 51-year-old man from Buckingham, a 33-year-old man from Milton Keynes, two men from Leicestershire aged 23 and 44, and a woman aged 34, also from Leicestershire.
