Crooked House appeal hearing delayed again

The council had ordered the pub be rebuilt to how it was before the fire

A public inquiry to decide whether the owners of the Crooked House should rebuild "Britain's wonkiest inn" has been postponed, following an appeal to the High Court.

The pub in Himley, Staffordshire, was destroyed in a suspected arson attack on 5 August 2023 and demolished two days later, prompting anger from residents and the region's politicians.

South Staffordshire Council said the High Court's decision meant it would now have to delay the inquiry until after potential criminal proceedings had concluded.

The authority said it had exhausted all avenues for the inquiry to go ahead as scheduled in March.

South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement order on the owners in February 2024, ordering them to rebuild the pub within three years.

The already delayed appeal hearing, requested by the pub's owners ATE Farms Limited, had been due to begin on 11 March.

Councillor Mark Evans said it was "incredibly frustrating" that this now would not happen.

He added: "We know that local residents and those affected by the loss of the Crooked House will share our deep disappointment.

"While this decision is beyond our control, I want to reassure the public that we remain committed to doing everything in our power to progress this matter as soon as we are able to."